Show findings on drug-related cases, gov’t urged

MANILA, Philippines — The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on Thursday urged the Duterte administration to make public its findings on its high-level review of drug-related cases, and to involve the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) in the process.

UN High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet acknowledged some of the gains from the recently signed UN Joint Programme with the Department of Justice, the Philippine National Police, and the CHR, including improving data and accountability mechanisms from law enforcers and its ongoing consultation with the CHR on the implementation of guidelines on a rights-based approach to drugs.

However, she urged the panel to publicize the findings of the two completed reviews covering over 300 deaths in drug operations from 2016.

Bachelet also said she was disturbed by reports of continuing human rights violations in the country despite a newly opened probe into alleged crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra deferred the release of the findings to the discretion of the Office of the President. —KRIXIA SUBINGSUBING