Overview

The Philippines is committed to upholding human rights standards and has joined the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT) in 1986. The country is also a signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which prohibits torture and other forms of cruel treatment.

To address the issue of torture, the Philippines enacted the Anti-Torture Act (Republic Act No. 9745) in 2009. This law criminalizes torture and provides safeguards for victims, recognizing their right to be free from torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment.

However, despite these legal provisions, instances of torture still persist, particularly in the context of investigations. Authorities often employ torture techniques during the interrogation of suspects, with many incidents occurring in detention facilities and holding cells. Suspects are subjected to mistreatment, such as systematic beatings, electric shocks, waterboarding, asphyxiation, punching, kicking, degrading treatments, and burning with cigarettes. These practices are especially prevalent among victims from impoverished backgrounds, including children.

Another concerning aspect is the sexual abuse and rape of women in custody by police officers and prison guards, often done to humiliate or punish them. Perpetrators of such acts frequently evade accountability, further exacerbating the issue.

Despite some efforts to reform and professionalize the Philippine National Police (PNP) through training, community involvement, and pay raises, progress in implementing and enforcing reforms to improve investigations and prosecutions of human rights violations remains limited. Institutional limitations within the national police and prevailing perceptions of widespread corruption continue to pose challenges.

To address these issues, the PNP established a technical working group in 2021. This group is tasked with overseeing human rights initiatives and developing a curriculum for internal homicide affairs investigators, aiming to enhance accountability and promote respect for human rights within the police force.