Three years into President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration, tensions persist between the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) over investigating extrajudicial killings (EJKs) linked to Rodrigo Duterte’s so-called “war on drugs.” Despite the CHR independently probing over 4,000 cases, obstacles such as denied access to evidence and uncooperative police units continue to hamper progress.
CHR Chairperson Richard Palpal-Latoc noted that difficulties in accessing vital police records persist, even though the PNP claims to have issued orders for cooperation. “Non-compliance remains a significant hurdle,” he added. Likewise, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) encounters similar issues, including uncooperative witnesses, lost evidence, and an atmosphere of fear that complicates the successful resolution of cases.
Only a fraction of drug war-related cases forwarded to the Department of Justice (DOJ) have resulted in filings, with only four convictions of police officers to date.
While the PNP claims it has ordered units to cooperate, Palpal-latoc said the CHR is still being denied key evidence. The CHR has not forwarded any cases to the DOJ because none of the investigations are complete.
PNP Chief Police General Nicolas Torre III made his first official visit to the CHR on June 9, 2025, marking the first time a PNP Chief has visited the agency.
Torre promised transparency and a commitment to responsible policing, assuring that lethal force would only be used as a last resort. Nonetheless, human rights advocates remain cautious, wary of new performance metrics requiring officers to submit affidavits of arrest to qualify for promotions – measures they fear could encourage abuses reminiscent of the former Duterte era.
According to the documentation of the Dahas project of the University of the Philippines, there have been 1009 drug-related killings under Marcos Jr. so far (as of June 30, 2025).
The PNP has announced a partnership with the CHR to safeguard civil liberties during police operations. According to PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo, the initiative is intended to dispel concerns about a tense relationship between the two agencies. As part of the collaboration, the CHR will be invited to observe police arrests to help monitor potential human rights violations. Fajardo said the PNP aims to improve its public image, prevent accusations of vigilantism and EJKs, and restore public trust.
Lawmakers are pushing to strengthen the CHR through amendments to its charter, although these reforms still await Senate action.