News
Marcos to PNP: Work with CHR, protect human rights
PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. meets with Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III at Malacañang Palace in Manila on Monday (June 16, 2025).
Marcos and Torre discussed broad police operations and key public safety initiatives, with the president directing the PNP to collaborate with the Commission on Human Rights to ensure lawful police operations and protection of civil liberties. (PCO photo)
By Darryl John Esguerra, Philippine News Agency
MANILA – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has instructed the Philippine National Police (PNP) to coordinate with the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), underscoring the importance of protecting civil liberties and safeguarding the rights of all Filipinos.
Marcos met with PNP chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III on Monday evening in Malacañang, according to Palace Press Officer Claire Castro.
Castro said the President put primacy on ensuring lawful police operations and upholding human rights.
“Nais din po ng Pangulo na makipag-collaborate ang PNP sa Commission on Human Rights para din po maproteksyunan ang human rights, ang karapatan ng mamamayang Pilipino (The President also wants the PNP to collaborate with the Commission on Human Rights to protect human rights and the rights of Filipino citizens),” she said in a press briefing at the Palace on Tuesday.
Marcos and Torre also discussed broad police operations and key public safety initiatives, Castro said.
“Marami pong napag-usapan ang PNP chief at ang Pangulo. Ito po ay mga proyekto kaakibat nga po dito ay ang five-minute response time strategy na dapat ipatupad, nandiyan na rin po Oplan Balik Eskwela 2025-2026, nandiyan din po ang anti-illegal drug campaign strategy, pati po ang training program for the Department of Justice prosecutors and law enforcement agents (The PNP chief and the President discussed many matters, including the five-minute response time strategy, Oplan Balik Eskwela 2025-2026, the anti-illegal drug campaign, and training programs for DOJ prosecutors and law enforcement),” she added.
Castro said that while the PNP must act swiftly and decisively in ensuring public safety, it must do so without violating human rights.
“Ang awtoridad na ibinigay at kapangyarihan ng mga kapulisan, hindi dapat abusuhin kung hindi dapat bigyang-halaga ang human rights (The authority and power granted to the police must not be abused, but should instead uphold human rights),” she said.
Among the new directives now being implemented are expanded police visibility in communities, faster police response through the 911 emergency hotline, and reinforced law enforcement presence in schools.
More than 37,000 police personnel were deployed nationwide for the opening of classes, along with the setup of over 5,000 police assistance desks near campuses.
Torre also personally inspected select schools to ensure adequate police coverage.
The PNP also warned drug dealers and militant groups against targeting students, with Castro quoting Torre: “Huwag nilang subukan (They better not try)“.
