CHR lauds PNP order to stop presenting suspects to media

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights on Wednesday gave its stamp of approval to the order of the Philippine National Police banning the presentation of arrested suspects to the media.

CHR said the directive of PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde to halt the practice of parading accused criminals before the media conforms to the commission’s advisory issued in the past.

“This is in consonance with human rights standards particularly on due process and presumption of innocence,” CHR said.

Albayalde on Monday said the prohibition is contained in a 2008 memorandum written by former PNP chief Jesus Verzosa, which ordered regional and provincial commanders to refrain from presenting arrested suspects in a “firing squad” manner before the press.

Verzosa’s memorandum stressed that the presentation of suspects to the media violates their constitutional rights.

Section 14 of the Bill of Rights states that “no person shall be held to answer for a criminal offense without due process of law” and that “in all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall be presumed innocent until the contrary is proved.”

The memorandum added that the practice “could besmirch their name and reputation.”

The PNP, under the term of President Rodrigo Duterte, has presented to the media thousands of suspects arrested in series of police operations.