Ongoing CHR-PNP hearings highlight cooperation issues

In recent congressional hearings, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) shared significant challenges in its ongoing investigations into extrajudicial killings tied to the Philippines' controversial war on drugs. Since the initiation of these hearings, CHR officials have reported a continuing lack of cooperation from the Philippine National Police (PNP). This has been particularly exacerbated by a directive, rooted in Executive Order No. 2, which prevents the sharing of certain information with the CHR—an order issued during the term of former President Duterte. Despite efforts to collate evidence from multiple police stations where killings were reported, CHR has been repeatedly denied access to critical investigation reports. The testimonies revealed that instances of non-cooperation persisted even after dialogues were held with the PNP, highlighting a systemic issue within the law enforcement agency. The CHR's current project aims to gather comprehensive data to analyze the effectiveness and humanity of police operations during the drug war. This endeavor reflects the desperate need for transparency and accountability in law enforcement, echoing broader sentiments around public trust and human rights violations in the country. These hearings not only shed light on bureaucratic hurdles but also underline the urgent necessity for clearer directives to guide police cooperation in sensitive human rights investigations.