THE Department of Justice (DoJ) on Thursday reaffirmed its commitment to human rights, highlighting two key goals under the Fourth Philippine Human Rights Plan (PHRP4).
Undersecretary Raul T. Vasquez, speaking on behalf of DoJ Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” C. Remulla, highlighted the two key goals under PHRP4: strengthening domestic accountability mechanisms to address human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and torture, and improving prison conditions and reformation programs for prisoners.
Mr. Remulla emphasized the government’s openness to working with civil society and the international community to achieve these objectives, reaffirming the Philippines’ commitment to human rights as a cornerstone of its governance agenda.
Last November, the DoJ formed a task force to probe extrajudicial killings during the past presidential administration.
The task force is responsible for investigating, building cases, and filing charges, if warranted, against the perpetrators and those involved in extrajudicial killings during the previous administration’s anti-illegal drug campaign.
Government data estimated 6,000 deaths during the drug war of former President Rodrigo R. Duterte, but human rights groups put the toll at up to 30,000, largely comprising small-time drug pushers and users.
The PHRP4 fulfills one of three commitments made by the Philippines to the United Nations during the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in December 2023.
It is the second milestone achieved, alongside the creation of the Special Committee on Human Rights Coordination under Administrative Order No. 22 issued on May 8, 2024. Efforts are ongoing to meet the third pledge: establishing an independent, world-class National Forensic Institute.
The launch of the PHRP4 on Dec. 10, coincided with International Human Rights Day. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana
