PNP chief: CHR is our boss in protecting rights

After years of tumultuous relationship, the Philippine National Police and the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) are expected to forge closer ties under a new PNP chief who has repeatedly committed to respect and protect human rights.

- By JANVIC MATEO and MARK ERNEST VILLEZA

Newly installed PNP chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III made history yesterday as the first national police chief to pay a courtesy visit and attend the CHR's flag-raising ceremony.

Torre assured the public that the police force under his leadership will have high regard for human rights.

"The CHR is our boss on the protection of human rights," the PNP chief said, noting how the role of the two institutions complement.

The work of the police, he said, is to ensure that the human rights of those victimized by criminals are protected.

"Now, the CHR has oversight function. It looks at state agents if they are committing abuse in what they do," he added in Filipino.

"When a victim's human rights are violated by a criminal, the police steps in. But when it's the police who violate human rights, that's when the CHR comes in," he added.

Richard Palpal-latoc, CHR chairman, welcomed the new PNP chief's expression of commitment to respect human rights.

"We support the police as they are responsible for ensuring the safety of our community," the CHR chief said in Filipino.