The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) welcomed the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) willingness to open about 7,000 cases of deaths during anti-illegal drug operations.

CHR spokesperson Jacqueline Ann de Guia on Friday called the PNP’s pronouncement, which will soon be formalized through a memorandum of agreement, a “positive” development that would eventually ensure that reparations will be made if violations were committed.

PNP Chief, Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, earlier assured that they would closely collaborate with the Department of Justice (DOJ) on the investigation of the so-called extra-judicial killings (EJK).

“With this new pronouncement, we equally hope that the PNP ensures cooperation without reservation in the investigations and sharing of relevant case files with the CHR for our own independent probe,” de Guia said in a statement.

The collaboration between the two agencies could pave greater transparency, which is essential in the pursuit of justice, truth, and accountability, she said.

“Investigating any alleged violation of human rights primarily rests on the government,” she added.

De Guia said the gesture of openness and cooperation expressed by the PNP “is significant in rebuilding confidence and trust in the institution and the government in general.”

“The Commission appreciates the PNP’s openness to share the files with CHR by leaving it to DOJ’s discretion to share the records with us,” she said.

The “constructive engagements” of various government bodies with an independent body, such as the CHR, adhere to the check and balance mechanisms in the Constitution, she said.

“We encourage the PNP to sustain this momentum of fostering a positive attitude towards human rights and translate these commitments into actual effects on the ground, such as reduction of violence in communities, towards ushering better trust and confidence in the police force and the government as a whole,” de Guia said. (PNA)