PNP joins observance of Human Rights Consciousness week

FILE: Philippine National Police (PNP) officer-in-charge, Lt. Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa at Camp Crame in Quezon City on Monday (Oct. 21, 2019). (PNA photo by Joey O. Razon)

MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) joined the celebration of the National Human Rights Consciousness Week nationwide with the theme “Youth Standing Up for Human Rights”, coinciding with the international commemoration of the 71st Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

In a statement Wednesday, PNP Officer-in-Charge Lt. Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa said the observance of NHRCW is an opportune time to underscore the human rights advocacy of the PNP as an institutional policy that remains responsive to the requirements of the rule of law and human rights.

Among the highlights of the celebration is the reading led by the PNP Human Rights Affairs Office of the abridged-version of the Panata sa Karapatang Pantao which simultaneously held during Monday’s flag-raising ceremony.

At the same time, the PNP HRAO and Regional PHROs has conduct Human Rights activities in Promotion and Respect for Human Rights through community-based dialogue, custodial facility inspection, radio guestings, and other related activities.

During the NHRCW celebration in 2017, The PNP HRAO launched the first-ever “Know Your Rights” Mobile Application,  which caters all Human Rights Advisories and Policies crafted by the PNP, including the contents of the New Miranda Warning Pocket Card with Anti-Torture Reminders, can be downloaded and stored in all android smartphones.

In addition, a Miranda Warning pocket card with the inclusion of the Anti-Torture Warning reminder was translated into four (4) foreign languages (Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Taiwanese) and in 10 Filipino dialects.

Likewise, the Miranda Warning pocket card aims to strictly inform the suspects arrested of their constitutional rights in the language or dialect known to them.

PNP HRAO said there will be also police information and continuing education and seminar and community-based dialogue covering various subjects of human rights and its relevance to the different law enforcement functions of the PNP personnel.

Meanwhile, Quezon City Representative Jesus “Bong” Suntay, chairperson of the House Committee on Human Rights and other committee members are expected to conduct a camp visit at Camp Rafael T. Crame this week as part of the NHRCW celebration.

Republic Act No. 9201 declares December 4 to 10 of each year as National Human Rights Consciousness Week.