THE Philippine National Police (PNP) slammed on Tuesday, June 25, the “bloated” and “inconsistent” data presented by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) in relation to the government’s crackdown on illegal drugs.
“As we have explained, the varying numbers reported to UNHCHR by the special rapporteurs and its other sources were not consistent with truth,” PNP spokesperson Colonel Bernard Banac said in a statement.
“Their bloated figures don’t add up and cannot support any further need of the UN body to see the true and accurate picture of the Philippines’ lonely crusade against the global problem of illegal drugs,” he added.
In a report, the Human Rights Watch said based on the figures from the UNHCHR, at least 27,000 alleged drug personalities have been killed in the government’s drug war since July 2016.
The figure was way far from the official data of the government, the #RealNumbersPH, which recorded 5,375 deaths during the conduct of a total of 127,379 anti-illegal drugs police operations.
But Banac said the PNP respects the report of the UNHCHR.
“We welcome the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights’ acknowledgement of the real numbers in the anti-illegal drugs campaign that is being waged by the Philippine government, mainly through the efforts of the national police,” he said.
Banac also reiterated that the conduct of police operations against illegal drugs had been generally above board, based on lawful orders, and judiciously conducted within the ambit of regular police procedures.
“Human rights is perfectly in place, exercised and protected in the Philippines in accordance with the constitution. Respect for human rights is deeply embedded in all police systems and procedures as a matter of organizational policy,” he said.
“If at all any irregularity had been found, these were immediately investigated and corrected with punitive action against the errant police personnel,” he added.
Earlier, PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde said over 600 police personnel since July 2016 were charged with violation of human rights. (SunStar Philippines)