Human Rights Online Philippines

Human Rights Watch’s reaction to the increasing incidents of law enforcers and government officials mistreating Filipinos during the lockdown

The Philippines government should immediately rein in out of control law enforcers and public officials committing rights abuses while they enforce Covid-19 quarantine and lockdown regulations. Even before the incident in Dasmarinas Village, Makati City, there has been an increasing number of incidents in which police and government personnel abused their powers by committing rights violations. The DILG must exercise effective oversight over its personnel, investigate all reports of abuses, and hold officers committing rights violations accountable. The lockdown and quarantine, and even the emergency powers bestowed on President Duterte, do not excuse the actions of officials to wantonly violate international human rights norms and the Philippine Constitution, which specifically protects citizens from unreasonable searches and arrests.

Phil Robertson
Deputy Asia Director
Human Rights Watch

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