EDITORIAL – The right against torture
(The Philippine Star)
February 10, 2012

In line with efforts to promote respect for human rights, the Philippine National Police has started requiring its members to recite to arrested suspects their rights against torture. The anti-torture warning will have to be read out to a suspect together with his Miranda rights. The PNP is distributing to its members an initial 15,000 cards prepared by the International Committee of the Red Cross, containing both the Miranda rights and the anti-torture warning.

The move is laudable, especially in the light of numerous cases wherein police officers were implicated in the torture of suspects. But the devil is always in the details. The PNP must see to it that there will be an effective system of monitoring compliance with the requirement, and a mechanism by which complaints of torture can be filed and verified. Some cases of torture have been recorded on video through mobile phones or closed-circuit TV cameras. CCTV units are becoming more ubiquitous in Metro Manila and other urban areas. But most arrests are conducted out of sight, and if a crime suspect complains of torture, it will usually be his word against an entire police team.

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