SENIOR Associate Justice, now acting Chief Justice, Antonio Carpio deserves our support and appreciation on upholding the order for the Solicitor General to submit police reports for persons killed in drug-related police operations as well as deaths under investigation.
For human rights advocates and families affected by the drug-related killings, these reports may contain crucial information for families and communities. Often in spite of their fears, only the most courageous families have asserted their right to obtain copies of police reports pertaining to their loved one’s death.
Many families still have very little information. Even more, the perception of authoritarian rule by PNP units in urban poor communities leaves many feeling hopeless and helpless in their effort to obtain justice for killings allegedly related to drugs.
We applaud Justice Antonio Carpio for upholding the order that police reports be submitted to the court. We urge the Supreme Court to remain firm in obtaining these records. The strength of democracy in our nation requires that checks and balances between branches of government promote the welfare of all Filipinos, but especially the poor citizens of our country.
With the onslaught of drug-related killings, suspicions on the regularity of police operations are logical. Such will be given proper perspective through access to the relevant data on the killings. Even more, deaths under investigation deserve attention and such reports can lay bare possible suspects and patterns.
Access to available information will be significant in enabling urban poor families and their advocates to analyze what has been happening in their communities. This can further capacitate them to act for the common welfare of their communities.
Given the notoriety of impunity in the Philippines, police report accessibility should be non-negotiable. Police operatives who conduct themselves in accordance with the rule of law have nothing to fear. However, access to information is essential for deconstructing the fear that currently grips many poor communities.
We must hold accountable any Filipinos who have been allured by or have “fallen victim to” illegal drugs. The courts should be strong in upholding due process and promoting rule of law, especially in going after drug-lords and syndicate kingpins as well as those who protect them.
Punishing small-time sellers and drug-users through unprovoked street executions is not only criminal, but is wholly immoral. Allowing state forces to engage such extra-judicial actions only complicates an already difficult social problem.
We urge the court to stand firm that the state must submit such police reports. This will directly alleviate the fear which results from this information blackout for the families affected by drug-related killings.
However, ultimately such access to information is for the benefit of our entire society as a people striving for peace based on democracy, justice and freedom.--Fr. Gilbert Billena, O.Carm, spokesperson, Rise Up For Life and For Rights