It鈥檚 the inexperienced or overeager rookies who usually cross the line.
Majority of the policemen who are implicated in human rights violations come from the lowest ranks, from PO1s (Police Officer 1) to PO3s, according to a memo sent by the National Capital Region Police Office to its five districts in Metro Manila.
The NCRPO said an alarming number of these junior law enforcers had been linked to allegations of torture or maltreatment, acts of lasciviousness and rape, robbery extortion, arbitrary detention, and illegal arrest, search or seizure.
The Philippine National Police continues to draw 鈥減ublic criticism鈥� because of these incidents which undermine its聽 鈥渃redibility and commitment in safeguarding human rights,鈥� according to the memo, a copy which reached the desk of the Northern Police District chief, Supt. Antonio Decano.
鈥淭he NCRPO Command and the PNP hierarchy (are) alarmed with the recent incidents of human rights violations allegedly committed by NCRPO policemen,鈥� said the memo signed by Chief Supt. Juanito Bungay Vano Jr., chief of the regional directorial staff.
The memo required the five districts to submit a weekly report on human rights violations allegedly committed by their respective personnel.
The memo said this 鈥渆fficient monitoring鈥� would allow the PNP higher-ups to implement the 鈥渁ppropriate corrective measures鈥� against erring policemen.
鈥淪uch scenario (of human rights violations committed by policemen) contravenes the various covenants and international agreements on International Human Rights Law, where the Philippines is a signatory,鈥� it added.
The weekly report should be collated by the human rights desk officer and investigation and detective management division of each district, and then submitted to the NCRPO regional director.