The Commission on Human Rights on Tuesday slammed the Philippine National Police for claiming the profiling of the members of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers was “perfectly legal.”
“As part of their sworn duty to serve and protect, the police must acknowledge and recognize that the mere act of profiling already prejudices and discriminates against the members of the concerned groups, which is a blatant violation of the basic right to equal protection of the law,” group spokeswoman Jacqueline de Guia said.
“We also reiterate that such move infringes on the rights to privacy and association.”
De Guia made her statement even as Senator Panfilo Lacson said the police should train their profiling and surveillance efforts on dishonorably discharged police and military personnel who had become guns for hire.
Lacson, who led the PNP from 1999 to 2001, cited many cases of such expelled law enforcers being tagged as suspects in recent heinous crimes.
Focusing on these “rejects” could even help solve or preempt crimes.
`”The PNP should instead conduct profiling and surveillance on dishonorably discharged PNP and AFP personnel to keep track of their post-discharge activities, including their lifestyle,” Lacson said.
Police Chief Oscar Albayalde earlier sacked the police officers who “leaked” an intelligence memorandum calling for an inventory of educators belonging to a left-leaning group.
De Guia said “there is a risk that the list can be utilized to repress legitimate concerns or to silence criticisms or opponents.
“Given that this move can easily threaten the basic rights and freedoms of innocent people, we hope the PNP will completely do away with profiling and other similar methods.
“The police can start the year right by ensuring that no method and operation can compromise the basic freedoms and human dignity of any individual or group.”