PNP Bicol fortifies respect on human rights

By Alfredo L. Vargas LEGAZPI CITY, Jan. 26 (PNA) –- The 7,000-man strong Philippine National Police (PNP) in Bicol is set to undergo a series of seminars and trainings on human rights advocacy and behavior change this year. Senior Supt. Renato Bataller, PNP regional spokesperson and chief of the Human Rights Affairs Office (HRAO) based at Camp Gen. Simeon Ola, said the undertaking is aimed at arming policemen with the basics in human rights to avoid violations. Records of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) revealed that the PNP had the most number of complaints in terms of human rights violations (HRV) last year and in the past few years compared to the military and other government law enforcement arms. This is so because of their being closest to the public in the daily disposition of responsibilities such as being seen managing traffic and on their beat assignments. The policemen are also easily identifiable, Bataller said. Of the 74 cases filed in court by CHR, 25 respondents were policemen. Last year, HRAO was able to reach out to 70 percent of the entire Bicol police force through trainings and seminars. “We plan to submit the remaining 30 percent, then conduct a series of re-orientation sessions. This is not because there are many rotten cops in the region but it is expected by the community from every policeman,” Bataller said. He expressed optimism that the program will be sustained because regional police director, Chief Supt. Clarence Guinto, was the former chief of HRAO at the PNP national headquarters in Camp Crame prior to his assignment in Bicol. (PNA) CTB/FGS/ALV/MMG/ABB