THE PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) has partnered with Sulong Peace Inc. (SPI), a non-government organization, to enhance the international law-enforcement standards and International Humanitarian Law (IHL).
PNP chief Gen. Debold Sinas on Wednesday said he signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with SPI executive director Joeven Reyes-Escober at Camp Crame, Quezon City on Feb. 22.
He said the MOU highlights the PNP’s underlying commitment for the advancement of IHL in the Philippines from 2021 to 2025.
“IHL or Law of Armed Conflict is not a new human rights concept but the police should be conscious of the very principles IHL conveys which primarily aims to protect civilians and non-combatants in armed conflict situations, and where upholding of human rights standards and the pursuit of peace remain paramount,” Sinas said.
Within the timeframe of the MOU, Sinas said the PNP and SPI will work closely with the Human Right Affairs Office of the PNP in capacitating the police personnel, especially those deployed in armed conflict, by understanding IHL, Republic Act 9851 or IHL Act, RA 11188 (Special Protection of Children in Situations of Armed Conflict) and other relevant standards that protect the civilians, the children, injured persons, and civilian objects, among others, during armed conflict as well as to take appropriate measures to maintain human rights-based policing standards amid the conflict.
Under the MOU, both the PNP and SPI have recognized the need to deepen the consciousness of police personnel in upholding the human rights of all parties more so if they are arrested, taken in custody or deprived of their liberty in accordance with the rule of law and relevant judicial processes.
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