CHR: Seek truth in ‘nanlaban’ cases

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has urged the government to seek the truth in the allegations that suspects who died in anti-illegal drug operations have fought back to police operatives.

Reacting to a recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showing divided public belief on the so-called “nanlaban” cases, CHR spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia said there is a need for the government to seek the truth on the matter.

“The recent of SWS on nanlaban cases demands one thing from the government: the truth,” she said in a statement.

“As such, we remind the government of their unrefuted role of having the primary obligation to protect our rights, including the right to life, and guarantee justice by allowing the rule of law to prevail – even if it means applying it to law enforcers themselves – so as to address this seeming climate of impunity the country faces,” she added.

The recent survey found that 26 percent of adult Filipinos believe that the police are not telling the truth about their claims that killed drug suspects resisted arrest.

Twenty-seven percent said the police are telling the truth, while the rest of the 47 percent are undecided.

The CHR has repeatedly called on the government to file cases against police officers in nanlaban cases, noting that only a judge can make a determination if the incident is indeed a case of self-defense.