PNP says they respect deployment of CHR investigators in Negros Oriental

August 2, 2019

The Philippine National Police ( PNP) on Friday said they respect the deployment of investigators from the Commission on Human Rights in Negros Oriental over a spate of killings there.


However, Police Brigadier General Bernard Banac, PNP spokesperson, in a statement said they have reservations that overlapping jurisdictions may muddle their own investigation.


"The PNP respects the ongoing investigation being conducted by CHR in Negros," said Banac.


"Although we recognize the mandate of CHR to look into cases that fall within its own area of interest, we have reservations that overlapping jurisdictions may muddle our own investigation and unduly result in miscarriage of justice," he added.


Banac said the incidents in Negros Oriental are purely police matters that are within the jurisdiction and mandate of the PNP to take action.


"The PNP is willing to provide for them any security assistance should they need it," he added.


According to the records of the Provincial Investigation and Detective Management Branch of Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office, from July 18 to July 28, a total of 21 people, including four police officers, were killed in separate incidents.


In a statement, CHR spokesperson Jacqueline Ann de Guia said the loss of life in the province is "already concerning".


"The recent spate of killings in the Negros island causes grave concern as the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) notes that this count adds to the growing number of killings in the country that needs to be resolved and given due justice," said De Guia.


"Investigators from CHR coming both from its central and regional offices have been deployed to Negros to investigate these killings, involving police officers, a lawyer, educators, and even a child. Every motive is being pursued, especially that allegations of the government and communist rebels being accountable for the executions are being floated," she added.


De Guia added there is no need to declare martial law or any emergency powers if the PNP assured that the situation is under control.


"What we are trying to avoid is the normalisation of measures reserved for extraordinary cases concerning national safety," she said.


Police General Oscar Albayalde, the PNP chief, on Thursday said he ordered his officers to give him an initial report in a week. Ella Dionisio/DMS