‘MISTAKEN NOTION’ | Remulla denies culture of impunity in Philippines’ justice system

November 14, 2022 , 09:32 PM

By Clarist Zablan

(November 14, 2022) – Department of Justice (DOJ) secretary Boying Remulla on Monday denied that there is a culture of impunity in the Philippines despite concerns raised by human rights groups, as the country undergoes a periodic review by a panel of the United Nations (UN).

During the Philippines’ fourth Universal Periodic Review (UPR), Remulla assured that the government has been investigating extrajudicial killings, noting that at least 25 police officers have been indicted for deaths related to the brutal war on drugs. He added that 302 cases have been referred to the National Bureau of Investigation.

“We will dispel the mistaken notion that there is a culture of impunity in our country,” said in his opening statement. “We will not tolerate the denial of justice nor any violation of human rights.”

The UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) periodically holds a UPR in its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland to scrutinize the human rights records of its member-states. The Philippines last underwent a UPR in May 2017 during the term of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

The Philippine National Police estimated at least 6,000 deaths under the cruel anti-drug policy of Duterte, but human rights groups peg the actual figure at 30,000, including vigilante killings. Human rights violations were rampant during Duterte’s violent rule as he even emboldened state forces to “shoot to kill” suspects. Many progressive individuals were also arrested and harassed.

Dahas, an initiative of the University of the Philippines Third World Studies Center, tallied 127 more drug-related killings under the term of President Bongbong Marcos Jr., as of November 7.

Marcos, the son of the late dictator, has largely shied away from the issue of human rights in his speeches.

Remulla, however, once again proclaimed that the country’s justice system is working, touting the government’s initiatives to pursue reforms, investments in economic and sociocultural rights, the protection of vulnerable groups, and open engagements with the international community.

Without dropping names, Remulla also noted how there are critics who use the human rights situation of other countries as a “political tool,” but he viewed it as a “price to pay” to ensure democracy in the Philippines.

“We trust this UPR will take into account the national, cultural, and social context of our country’s compliance with its human rights obligations,” said Remulla. “Our commitment to human rights was and continues to be anchored on ‘real justice in real time.’”

Remulla was recently blasted by several groups when his eldest son allegedly received special treatment from the authorities after he was arrested for smuggling and selling high-grade marijuana.

In a 13-page report released last week, the UNHRC, following a separate review last month, noted a rise in human rights violations under the administration of Duterte.

The UNHRC extended technical assistance to the government in addressing the issue in 2020, but human rights groups wanted a stronger response from the UN panel by launching an independent probe.

(PM)

Privacy Statement

Our Privacy Commitment

TV5 Network Inc. values and respects your privacy. We are committed to safeguarding your personal data in compliance with Republic Act No. 10173 or the Data Privacy Act of 2012 and its implementing rules and regulations.

We have developed a Privacy Policy that adopts and observes appropriate standards for personal data protection. While our Privacy Policy sets out the general principles governing the collection, use, and disclosure of our users’ personal information, our Privacy Commitment seeks to inform you more about TV5’s privacy practices.

Why do we collect your personal information (as applicable)?

We may collect and maintain basic information about you as site user of TV5 sites for the following purposes:

To deliver news and updates on current events, sports, esports and entertainment;
To share livestreams of news and sports events;
To understand our viewers’ needs and preferences;
To meet legal and regulatory requirements; and
To perform other processes or disclosures that are required to comply with pertinent laws, rules, or regulations.

Where do we get your personal information?

There are several ways we collect your personal information.

Information that you personally provided.

Most of the personal information we have are those that you have provided us when you:
- Register to our programs or services;
- Inquired, filed a complaint or requested for our services;
- Took part in our research and surveys; and/or
- Became our Partner, Vendor, Contractor or Supplier.

Information we collect during your engagement with us

We also collect information as you use our products and services, like:
- Viewing our websites;
- Activities that are being tracked by our website cookies;
- Calling our hotline;
- Using our apps, websites, and self-service channels and portals; and/or
- Joining our promos, prize raffles, or rewards and loyalty programs.

Information we collect from other sources

Other means of collection of information may be through:
- Our market research initiatives;
- When you visit and use our websites and mobile application; and
- Subsidiaries, affiliates, and third-party business partners to whom you have given consent to share your information to us.

When do we disclose personal information?

There may be instances when we are required to share the information you provided us. In such cases, we ensure that your personal information will be disclosed on a confidential manner, through secure channels and in compliance with the Data Privacy Act and other privacy laws.

We will never share, rent, or sell your personal information to third parties outside of TV5 except in special cases where you have given consent, and in cases described in our privacy policy.

In some instances, we may be required to disclose your personal information to our agents, subsidiaries, affiliates, business partners and other third-party agencies and service providers as part of our regular business operations and for the provision of our programs and services. This means we might share your information with our service providers, contractors, and professional advisers who help us provide our services.

How we protect your personal information

The integrity, confidentiality, and security of your information is important to us. We have implemented technical, organizational, and physical security measures that are designed to protect your information from unauthorized or fraudulent access, alteration, disclosure, misuse, and other unlawful activities.

We also put in effect the following safeguards:

We keep and protect your information using a secured server behind a firewall, encryption and security controls;
We keep your information only for as long as it is necessary for us to (a) provide the products and services that you avail from us, (b) for our legitimate business purposes, (c) to comply with pertinent laws, and (d) for special cases that will require the exercise or defense of legal claims;
We limit the access to your information only to qualified and authorized personnel who are trained to handle your information with strict confidentiality;
We undergo regular audits and rigorous testing of our infrastructure’s security protocols to ensure your data is always protected;
We promptly notify you and the National Privacy Commission when sensitive personal information that may, under the circumstances, be used to enable identity fraud are reasonably believed to have been acquired by an unauthorized person; and
We let you update your information securely to keep our records accurate.

TV5 will not collect, use, or disclose your personal information for any purpose other than the purpose that you may have given your consent for.

What are your choices?

We make sure that we have your consent to continue to collect, use, and disclose your personal information for the purposes that we have identified. We want you to know that you may object or withdraw your consent and/or edit your consent preferences at any time.

If you wish to have access to the personal information in our custody or if you think that the personal information you provided is incomplete, or otherwise inaccurate, you may get in touch with our Data Protection Officer through the contact details provided below. In some instances, we may request for supporting documents or proof before we effect requested changes.

Data Protection Officer
TV5 Network Inc.
Reliance corner Sheridan Streets
Mandaluyong City
tv5dataprivacy@tv5.com.ph

What happens when there are changes in our Policy?

From time to time, we may update our privacy policy and practices to comply with changes in applicable laws and regulatory requirements, adapt to new technologies and protocols, and align with the best practices of the industry.

You will be provided notices if the changes are significant and, if we are required by law, we will obtain your updated consent.