Manila: The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday maintained that accountability within its ranks is active and enforced, contrary to the assessment of an international human rights group. "We respect the views of international rights groups, but we do not agree that accountability mechanisms in the PNP are inadequate," PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a statement. "We have strengthened internal investigations and made sure that police officers who violate the law are held accountable."

According to Philippines News Agency, Nartatez issued the statement a day after Human Rights Watch (HRW) released a report criticizing the Philippine government for supposedly failing to ensure sufficient domestic accountability in the previous administration's drug war. Nartatez also disputed the HRW's claim that drug-related killings by police officers or unidentified assailants have continued under the Marcos administration.

"We acknowledge and respect any advocacy to uphold human rights and the rule of law, but it should be based on facts. What we can also assure is that discipline, professionalism, and integrity are among the foundations of the continuing reforms in the PNP," he said. He stated that reforms under his term focus on transparency in cases involving deaths during police operations, in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla to ensure that police operations are lawful and accountable.

Nartatez underscored the need to protect human rights while sustaining the fight against illegal drugs through intelligence-driven and strategic operations.