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By Gustavo Gonzalez
The December 20 killing of two unarmed civilians, Sonya and Frank Gregorio, has rightly received widespread condemnation and has sparked debate over the need for police reform in the Philippines.
There are different points of view that emerge in this public debate. Some see the killings as an isolated incident of a “bad cop” who needs to be prosecuted and removed from the police force. Others point to anarchy and a lack of respect for the police, which contributes to an “us versus them” mentality. However, others emphasize a police culture of tackling crime by resorting to violence and abuse of power.
There may be elements of truth in all of these views. Allegations are emerging about a number of infractions by the officer involved in the killings that were not adequately addressed. There are also strong indications that the Philippine National Police (PNP) has increasingly relied on the use of force in recent years, resulting in thousands of killings according to the PNP’s own statistics. Every life and family affected is precious. But this high number of murders is, in itself, a broader institutional concern.
The police officer involved in the incident was caught on camera and immediately arrested and charged. However, in most cases where there are reports of human rights violations, there are no cameras. Perpetrators are not always brought to justice and victims are left behind, feeling fearful and helpless. This fuels the conspiracy of silence, where cops fail to report when rules are broken, and this, in turn, creates an environment in which abuse of power can escalate. Consistency and fairness in addressing infractions and violations, rather than the imposition of the death penalty, are likely to strengthen the rule of law.
In recent weeks, a series of killings, by unknown assailants, of people who play a role in protecting their communities have been reported. The murder of two human rights activists in August, of a journalist in November; the murder of two lawyers in Cebu in November and December, respectively, and of a doctor and her husband on December 16 are among the most recent such cases. This has a negative impact on security and development.
The human rights treaties that the Philippines has ratified provide clear guidance to address these challenges. And cooperation between the Philippines and the UN in areas such as strengthening national accountability mechanisms and data collection can help contribute to a policing culture that seeks to protect its citizens, particularly the most vulnerable, while recognizes the important and challenging job police officers face in performing their duties.
The Human Rights Council resolution adopted by consensus on October 7 this year, with the support of the Philippine government and a large number of member states, has provided a basis for such cooperation. Since the adoption of the Human Rights Council Resolution, the UN has actively engaged with civil society organizations, the Philippine National Human Rights Commission, and a variety of different government actors to lay the foundation for an ambitious program. However, we should agree that the success of technical cooperation largely depends on the existence of an enabling environment, with a strong commitment to change.
The murder of Sonya and Frank Gregorio shocks us all. Preventing these killings and ensuring accountability must be our top priority.
Gustavo González is the United Nations Resident Coordinator in the Philippines.
