Akbayan Party-list first nominee and human rights lawyer Jose Manuel "Chel" Diokno criticized the previous administration for turning the Philippine National Police (PNP) into a “killing machine” during its war on drugs and called for accountability.
Diokno, following former PCSO General Manager Royina Garma's testimony before the House Quad Committee, urged an immediate investigation into the PNP's reward system.
“Ang ating pambansang kapulisan ay ginawang isang katayan,” Diokno said.
“The Philippine National Police (PNP) was clearly turned into a killing machine by the previous government. Everyone involved in the War on Drugs must be held accountable, led by Duterte and his cohorts,” he added.
The human rights lawyer stressed that no civilized society can fathom taking human lives in exchange for one's personal gain, like rewards. In accordance with the law, Diokno said that criminals must be punished, not killed.
“We must never ever have a police force that is both judge and executioner,” he said.
Additionally, Diokno called for officials to ban the use of narco and drug lists. He also urged the passage of a PNP Discipline Act to hold policemen accountable for such actions.
Death Recording and Investigation Law
Meanwhile, the human rights lawyer also vowed to push for the passage of the Death Recording and Investigation Law. Under the said law, autopsies for those who were killed through homicide or under suspicious circumstances, are required.
The proposal also suggests the removal of the PNP's Crime Laboratory, prompting independent agencies to run the said procedure.
“This is necessary to ensure that homicides and deaths under suspicious circumstances are properly investigated, free from influence or pressure from higher ups in the PNP,” Diokno ended.
