CHR to government officials: Treat people with respect

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has reminded government officials to enforce laws with due regard following a report that Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte forced a tourist to swallow a cigarette butt for breaking the city’s anti-smoking ordinance.

“All public officials are expected to perform their duties which include the execution or enforcement of all laws and ordinances with due regard,” CHR chairman Chito Gascon told The STAR.

Gascon was asked to comment on a post in the Facebook account of former North Cotabato governor Manny Piñol, a Duterte supporter, showing a tourist being made to swallow a cigarette butt for violating the Davao City ordinance, which prohibits smoking in public places.

Citing sources, Piñol said the tourist openly defied the measure and ended up experiencing the feisty mayor’s brand of leadership in last month’s Kadayawan Festival.

Although Gascon did not directly address the incident he reminded all government officials on the proper implementation of the law.

“All persons must be treated with utmost respect and dignity to which they are entitled to as a human being. That is the essence of human rights. That is also consistent with our accepted ethical values found in the golden rule – we all know right from wrong,” he said.