President Duterte’s order to “shoot” alleged agitators and violators of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) is a “dangerous” message because it might be misconstrued as an official government policy.
This is what CHR spokesperson, lawyer Jacqueline Ann de Guia, said after President Duterte addressed the nation and discussed the arrest of residents of Sitio San Roque in Barangay Bagong Pag-asa, Quezon City, on Wednesday.
De Guia said that human rights must never be disregarded even in times of a national health emergency.
“Even stricter restrictions, such as the enhanced community quarantine seen to protect the people’s right to health, are guided by human rights standards and principles,” she said.
In the past, the CHR has already expressed alarm over statements made by the national government to sidestep human rights, and President Duterte’s latest message to shoot dead the violators of the ECQ is no exception.
However, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has assured that it will not abide by President Duterte’s statement but rather “exercise maximum tolerance and within the bounds of law.”
“We then urge the PNP to come up with clearer guidelines for its law enforcers on the ground to assure the public that there will be no abuse of power,” she said.
“In this way, the public can expect greater accountability from the police by showing that the PNP will remain committed in their motto ‘to serve and protect’ the Filipino people, especially our rights to life and liberty.” (Czarina Nicole Ong Ki)
