By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD City – The Silay City Police Station in Negros Occidental welcomed the move of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to investigate the parade of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) health protocol violators in the city recently.
Major Rollie Pondevilla, city police chief, said they did not violate any rights of the violators who were made to parade themselves as part of their penalties for violating health protocols.
In a video posted on Facebook, the violators were made to raise their arms forward while walking from the police station to the covered court. The gesture is to remind them of the physical distancing rule.
At the covered court, a seminar was held to remind them about the strict observance of health protocols, particularly the wearing of face masks and observance of physical distancing.
A total of 39 individuals were arrested on Thursday for not wearing face masks, which is a violation of the city’s ordinance.
The video caught the attention of the CHR which said in a statement that “the CHR agree that we need to continuously need to work together to curb the transmission of the COVID-19 virus by faithfully adhering to health safety protocols set by experts.”
“However, as we have repeatedly stressed, addressing the current pandemic must always be guided by human rights principles. After all, the present national health crisis is a human rights issue—not a mere law enforcement agenda.”
CHR’s office in Region 6 will probe the incident to also hear the side of PNP Silay City.
The CHR continuously remind law enforcers to adhere to human rights-based policing, including respect for every person’s dignity.
Parading alleged quarantine violators on the streets may amount to cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment or punishment which is penalized by Republic Act No. 9745 (Anti-Torture Act) and barred by Convention Against Torture signed by the Philippines.
“Human rights must always rest at the core of law enforcement. We urge law enforcement officers to also coordinate with public health experts on how to better explain and ensure compliance to health safety protocols amidst the pandemic. At the same time, we look forward to the cooperation of the PNP in Silay City towards addressing this human rights concern,” the CHR said.
Pondevilla said they see no problem if they will be investigated, adding that they acted in good faith.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Abegael Donasco, deputy public information officer of Nocppo, said that the provincial police office will not tolerate their officers if they violated human rights.
Donasco said Nocppo will also investigate if there’s an official complaint.
“Hindi naman po namin ididisregard po iyon kung meron man,” she added.
Donasco said the police station is open for investigation, adding that Pondevilla had no bad intention for their actions.
In fact, Donasco noted that violators just walked 20 meters while observing the one-meter social distancing.
She said Pondevilla even gave face masks to the violators after the seminar was held.
“They (violators) did not pay a fine for humanitarian consideration,” she added.
