Know Your Rights 5: Detention

* Inilathala ng Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG)
* Isinalin sa Filipino ng Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism

Know Your Rights 5-1

KUNG IKAW AY NA-ARESTO NA, ITO ANG IYONG MGA KARAPATAN:

* Manatiling tikom ang bibig, at asistihan ng abogado na may kakayanan na iyong pinili kapag ikaw ay isinalang na sa interrogation.

* Hindi isailalim sa torture, manhandling, intimidation, solitary confinement, incommunicado detention, panloloko, o pangako ng gantimpala o kaluwagan sa anumang paraan (droga, hypnosis, atbp.) na maaring makapanghina ng loob o malayang pag-iisip mo.

* Bigyan ng access sa daglian at sapat na tulong medikal.

* Iharap sa inquest sa lalong madaling panahon at hindi lalagpas sa:
– 12 oras matapos kang ma-aresto dahil sa paglabag sa batas na may parusang hindi mabigat (light offense);
– 18 oras matapos kang ma-aresto dahil sa paglabag sa batas na may parusang medyo mabigat (less grave offense);
– 36 oras matapos kang ma-aresto dahil sa paglabag sa batas na may parusang mabigat (grave offense).

Know Your Rights 5-2
Bago magsimula at pagkatapos ng interogasyon, ito ang iyong mga karapatan:

* Ipaalam sa iyo na may karapatan kang humiling na sumailalim sa physical examination ng isang mahusay na doktor na iyong pinili.

* Kung hindi mo kayang magbayad sa serbisyo ng isang doktor, bigyan ng access sa isang mahusay at walang kinikilingang doktor na gagampan sa physical examination mo (mas mainam na babae ang doktor kung ikaw ay isang babae).

Know Your Rights 5-3

Sa isang inquest proceeding na isasagawa ng isang civilian prosecutor, dapat suriin kung ligal o hindi ang iyong pagka-aresto. Ang prosecutor, maaring:

(a) Mag-utos na palayain ka (kahit mayroon o wala pang full-blown investigation na naisagawa);

(b) Ipagtibay na ligal ang iyong pagka-aresto at ihanda ang kaukulang complaint o impormasyon na isasampa sa trial court. Madalas na tinatanong ng prosecutor ang na-aresto kung nais niyang magkaroon ng preliminary investigation, at kaugnay nito, kung siya ay pipirma ng waiver o pagpapaubaya ng kanyang mga karapatan. Huwag pumirma sa waiver nang hindi batid o nasabihan ng posibleng epekto o kahihinatnan nito. Kapag pumirma sa waiver — at ito ang madalas nangyayari — maaring mananatili ka sa detention center, habang naghihintay ng preliminary investigation. Kapag pumirma sa waiver, maaring mangahulugan din na ipinapaubaya mo na rin ang karapatan mong magsampa ng kaso laban sa mga umaresto sa iyo.

Know Your Rights 5-4

Isang inquest proceeding ang dapat isagawa ng isang sibilyan na prosecutor upang masuri kung ligal ang naganap na pagka-aresto sa iyo.

Kapag nagpasya ang prosecutor na iligal o labag sa batas ang pagka-aresto sa iyo, dapat niyang irekomenda sa City o Provincial Prosecutor na palayain ka. Gayunman, ang pagpapalaya sa iyo ay maaring idaan sa isang regular na preliminary investigation.

Kapag napagtibay ng prosecutor na legal ang iyong pagka-aresto, tatanungin ka niya kung nais mong sumailalim sa isang preliminary investigation. Kapag sumang-ayon ka, tatanungin ka niya kung sang-ayong kang pumirma ng waiver ayon sa Article 125 ng Revised Penal Code, at sa tulong ng isang abogado, o kung walang abogado, ng isang responsableng tao na iyong pinili. Ang pagpirma mo ng waiver ay nangangahulugan din na sumasang-ayon ka na manatili sa kulungan habang isinasagawa ang iyong preliminary investigation.

Know Your Rights 5-5

Kung ayaw mog dumaan sa preliminary investigation o tumutol na pumirma ng waiver, isasagawa ng prosecutor ang inquest sa pamamagitan ng pagsuri ng mga sworn statement/affidavit ng complainant at witnesses, at ng iba pang ebidensiyang isinumite ng complainant. Kung sa pagpapasya ng prosecutor ay may probable cause laban sa iyo, ihahanda niya ang karampatang complaint o impormasyon laban sa iyo at i-rerekomenda niya sa City o Provincial Prosecutor na isumite ang kaso sa korte.

Know Your Rights 5-6

Masasabing may probable cause kung batay sa mga ebidensiyang isinumite sa inquest prosecutor ay kapani-paniwalang may krimeng naganap at ikaw ay posibleng may kinalaman o kasalanan dito.
Kung kasapi ng pulisya at military ang nagtatanong at nag-iimbestiga sa iyo, ang mga karapatan mo ay:

– Manatiling tikom ang bibig.

– Magkaroon ng mahusay at walang kinikilingang abogado, at mas mainam pa, na ikaw mismo ang pumili.

– Bigyan ng abogado, kung hindi mo kayang kumuha ng sarili mong abogado.

– Humiling na sumailalim ka sa physical examination ng isang mahusay at independent na doktor na iyong pinili, at kung hindi mo kayang magbayad ng doktor, bigyan ng isang mahusay at independent na doktor na mgasasagawa ng physical examination sa iyo. (mas mainam na babae ang doktor kung ikaw ay isang babae); at

– Ipaalam sa iyo na ito ang mga karapatan mo, at anuman ang iyong maging pahayag ay maaring magamit laban sa iyo sa korte.

Know Your Rights 5-7

Sa paglilitis ng krimen o criminal prosecutions, it ang mga karapatan mo:

– Huwag pilitin na tumestigo laban sa sarili mo.

– Manatiling tikom ang bibig at magkaroon ng abogado.

– Malaman kung ano ang uri at dahilan ng mga akusasyon laban sa iyo.

– Magkaroon ng mabilis, bukas, at patas na paglilitis.

– Magsampa ng apela kung ikaw ay ma-convict.

– Ituring na inosente hangga’t hindi napapatunayang nagkasala.

– Humarap at lumahok ka ayt iyong abogado sa pagdinig ng mga akusasyon.

– Matulungan ng mga proseso ng korte upang sapilitang lumahok ang mga witness at mailabas ang mga ebidensiya para maipagtanggol mo ang iyong sarirli,

– Personal na makita at ma-cross-examine ang mga witness laban sa iyo.

Know Your Rights 5-8

Kapag ikaw ay iniharap na sa hukom o judge, magsampa ng formal complaint kung ikaw ay pinagkaitan ng abogado, sapilitang pina-amin, pinagbuhatan ng kamay, tinorture, o tinakot.

Mapalaya sa bisa ng makatwirang halaga ng piyansa, maliban lang kung ikaw ay nahaharap sa kasong may parusang kamatayan, reclusion perpetua o panghabangbuhay na pagkakakulong, at matibay ang ebidensiya na ikaw ay guilty.

– Kahit man lumaya ka matapos magbayad ng piyansa, maari mo pa ring kwestiyunin kung ligal ang naging pag-aresto sa iyo, o kung ligal ang warrant of arrest laban sa iyo, basta naipahayag mo ang iyong mga pagtutol na ito bago ang iyong arraignment o ang pagbasa ng kaso sa korte laban sa iyo.

Know Your Rights 5-9

Lahat ng mga officer at kasapi nila sa pulisya at militar na may tungkulin sa pag-aresto, pagkulong, pag-imbita, at pag-imbestiga ng mga suspek sa anumang krimen ay dapat na sumunod sa mga itinakdang intiakdang procedures, guidelines, at duties, nila, mula sa iyong pagka-aresto at habang inuusig sa detention center. Itinakda ng Korte Suprema ang mga patakarang ito sa kasong People v. Mahinay (G.R. No. 122485, 1 February 1999).

Know Your Rights 5-10

– Dapat ipaalam sa iyo sa wika na batid at naiintindihan mo ang dahilan ng iyong pagka-aresto. Dapat ipakita sa iyo ang iyong warrant of arrest. Lahat ng abiso, impormasyon, at pahayag nila sa iyo ay dapat nasa wika na batid at naiintidihan mo.

– Dapat mabigyan ka ng warning na may karapatan kang maging tikom ang bibig, at anumang sabihin mo ay maaring magamit na ebidensiya laban sa iyo.

– Dapat ipaalam sa iyo na may karapatan kang matulungan sa lahat ng pagkakataon ng mahusay at walang kinikilingan na abogado na ikaw mismo ang pumili.

– Dapat ipaalam sa iyo na kung wala kang abogado o hindi mo kayang magbayad ng abogado, bibigyan ka ng abogado; maari ring kumuha ng abogado para sa iyo ang korte, kung nais mo o ng iyong kinatawan na magsumite ng petisyon para rito.

– Kahit man meron o wala kang abogado, dapat ipaalam sa iyo na walang anumang imbestigasyon na maaring maganap sa loob ng detention center, liban na lang kung kasama mo ang iyong abogado o pumirma ka na ng waiver ng iyong mga karapatan.

Know Your Rights 5-11

– Dapat ipaalam sa iyo na may karapatan ka, sa lahat ng pagkakataon, na makausap sa pinakamabilis na paraan (telepono, text, radyo, sulat, o messenger) ang iyong abogado, miyembro ng pamilya, doktor, pari o ministro na pinili mo o ng iyong pamilya; dapat ipaalam sa iyo na may karapatan kang tumanggap ng bisita at makausap ang anumang accredited na national o international non-government organizations.

– Dapat ipaalam sa iyo na may karapatan kang ipaubaya o i-waive ang anumang karapatan mo sa boluntaryo, malinaw, at matalinong paraan, at naiintindihan mo ang maaring kahinatnan o epekto ng iyong waiver.

Know Your Rights 5-12

– Dapat ipaalam sa iyo na kung pipirma ka ng waiver para magkaroon ng abogado, ito ay dapat maisulat sa harap ng iyong abogado; kung hindi, dapat ipaalam sa iyo na walang bisa o void ang waiver mo, kahit na ipilit mo pa at nagdesisyon kang magbigay ng statement o pahayag.

– Dapat ipaalam sa iyo na maari kang magdesisyon sa anumang paraan at sa anumang yugto ng proseso na ayaw mo nang matanong pa, at sa puntong ito ay dapat matigil ang interrogation kung ito ay nagaganap na, o dapat wala nang interrogation na maganap pa.

– Dapat ipaalam sa iyo sa kabila ng iyong initial waiver na manatiling tikom ang bibig, magkaroon ng abogado, o anupamang karapatan mo, maari mo pa ring gamitin ang mga karapatang ito sa anumang yugto ng proseso, kahit na nagbigay ka na ng ilang statement o pahayag.

– Dapat ipaalam sa iyo na anumang statement o ebidensiya na nakuha sa paraang labag sa mga procedures o guidelines na ito — na nagpapatibay o tumatanggi sa mga paratang sa iyo — ay hindi katanggap-tanggap na ebidensiya sa korte.

Know Your Rights 5-13

(a) Karaniwang gawi ng mga investigating officer ang pagbigay sa taong na-aresto ng isang confession na nakasulat na at kailangan na lang pirmahan. May pagkakataon na ang suspek ay tinatakot na pumirma na kahit hindi pa nito nababasa ang nakasulat sa confession. At dahil bawal na sa ilalim ng Konstitusyon ang mga confession na nakuha sa suspek na walang abogadong kasama, maaaring may abogado nang isinasama ang mga imbestigador sa kanilang pag-alok ng confession sa mga suspek. Manatiling buo ang loob pero magalang. Manindigan na gusto mong kumuha ng sariling abogado at sabihan ang imbestigador na nais mong makita ang iyong abogado. Dahil batid na nila na alam mo ang iyong mga karapatan, mas maiiwasan na ikaw ay maharap sa sakuna o sapilitiang paaminin sa anumang akusasyon sa iyo, habang nakakulong.

Know Your Rights 5-14

(b) Kung hindi ipinaalam sa iyo na may karapatan kang manahimik, magkaroon at pumili ng mahusay at walang kinikilingang abogado, ang arresting officer o empleyado o investigating officer na hindi nagpabatid sa iyo ng mga karapatang ito, maari siyang maparusahan ng multa o pagkakulong o ng parehong parusa .

(k) Kung hindi ipinaalam sa iyo na maari kang magkaroon at pumili ng abogado na mahusay at walang kinikilingan ng sinumang arresting officer, emploeyado or investihgating officer, maari siyang maparusahan ng multa o pagkakulong o ng parehong parusa.

(d) Sinuman ang magpipigil o magbabawal sa iyong abogado, miyembro ng pamilya, doktor, o ministro ng simbahan na bumisita at makipag-usap sa iyo, eksaminin at gamutin ka, o bigyan ka ng spiritual service, anumang oras sa araw, o kung may dagling pangangailangan, anumang oras sa gabi, ay maaring maharap sa parusang multa at pagkakulong.

IF YOU HAVE ALREADY BEEN ARRESTED, THESE ARE YOUR RIGHTS:

* To remain silent and to be assisted by a competent lawyer of your choice when questioned or interrogated.
* Not to be subjected to torture, manhandling, solitary confinement, incommunicado detention, intimidation, deceit, promises of reward or leniency of or any means (drugs, hypnosis, etc.) that vitiate or weaken your free will.

*To immediate access to proper and adequate medical treatment.

* To be brought for inquest as soon as possible but not later than:
– 12 hours after arrest for a light offense
– 18 hours after arrest for a less grave offense
– 36 hours after arrest for a grave offense

*Before and after interrogation, to the following rights:
• To be informed of your right to demand physical examination by an independent and competent doctor of your own choice;
• If you cannot afford the services of a doctor, to be provided by the Government with a competent and independent doctor to conduct the physical examination (preferably a female doctor if you are female);

The legality of your arrest must be determined in an inquest proceeding conducted by a civilian prosecutor.

If the inquest prosecutor finds that your arrest was unlawful, he or she must recommend to the City or Provincial Prosecutor that you be released. Your release, however, may be subject to a regular preliminary investigation.

If the prosecutor finds that your arrest was lawful, he or she will ask if you desire to avail of a preliminary investigation and if so, will make you execute a waiver of Article 125 of the Revised Penal Code with the assistance of a lawyer, or if none is available, a responsible person of your choice. Signing the waiver means that you agree to remain in detention while your preliminary investigation is ongoing.

If you do not opt for a preliminary investigation or refuse to execute the waiver, the inquest prosecutor will proceed with the inquest by examining the sworn statements/affidavits of the complainant and witnesses and other supporting evidence submitted by the complainant. If the prosecutor finds that probable cause exists, he or she will prepare the corresponding complaint or information against you and recommend to the City or Provincial Prosecutor that it be filed in court.

Probable cause exists when the evidence submitted to the inquest prosecutor engenders a well-founded belief that a crime has been committed and that you are probably guilty of committing it.

* If you are questioned or investigated by the police or military, you have the following rights, among others:

– To remain silent;

– To have competent and independent counsel, preferably of your own choice;

– To be provided with counsel if you cannot afford one;

– To demand a physical examination by an independent and competent doctor of your own choice (or if you cannot afford the services of a doctor, to be provided by the Government with a competent and independent doctor to conduct the physical examination, preferably a female doctor if you are female); and

– To be informed of these rights, and to be told that anything you say may be used against you in court.

* In all criminal prosecutions, you have the following rights:

– Not to be compelled to testify against yourself;
– To remain silent and to counsel;
– To be informed of the nature and causes of the accusation against you;
– To have a speedy, public, and impartial trial;
– To appeal any conviction;
– To be presumed innocent until the contrary is proved;
– To be present and heard by yourself and counsel;
– To avail yourself of court processes to secure the compulsory attendance of witnesses and the presentation of evidence in your defense; and
– To meet the witnesses face-to-face and to cross-examine them.

* When you are brought before the Judge, to make a formal complaint if you have been denied counsel, forced to confess, or manhandled, tortured or intimidated.

* To be released on reasonable bail, unless you are charged with a crime punishable by death, reclusion perpetua, or life imprisonment and the evidence of your guilt is strong.

– Release on bail does not bar you from challenging the validity of your arrest nor the legality of the warrant of arrest, provided you raise these challenges before being arraigned.

* All arresting, detaining, inviting, investigating officers and their companions must follow and observe the following procedures, guidelines, and duties, at the time of your arrest and again during your custodial investigation. These guidelines, procedures, and duties were laid down by the Supreme Court in People v. Mahinay (G.R. No. 122485, 1 February 1999):

– You must be informed in a language known and understood by you of the reason for your arrest, and you must be shown the warrant of arrest. All other warnings, information or communication must also be in a language known to and understood by you.

– You must be warned that you have the right to remain silent and that any statement you make may be used as evidence against you.

– You must be informed that you have the right to be assisted at all times and have the presence of an independent and competent lawyer of your own choice.

_ You must be informed that if you have no lawyer or you cannot afford the services of a lawyer, one will be provided for you; and that a lawyer may also be engaged by any person on your behalf, or may be appointed by the court upon petition by you or by one acting on your behalf.

– Whether or not you have a lawyer, you must be informed that no custodial investigation in any forum shall be conducted except in the presence of your lawyer or unless you have validly waived any of your rights.

– You must be informed that you have the right, at any time, to communicate or confer by the most expedient means (telephone, text message, radio, letter, or messenger) with your lawyer, any member of your family, any medical doctor, priest or minister you choose or one chosen by your immediate family or lawyer; you must also be informed that you have the right, at any time, to be visited by and to confer with duly accredited national or international non-government organizations.

– You must be informed that you have the right to waive any of your rights provided you do so voluntarily, knowingly, intelligently, and you understand the consequences of your waiver.

– If you waive your right to a lawyer, you must be informed you must waive your right in writing in the presence of your lawyer, otherwise you must be warned that your waiver is void even if you insist on your waiver and you choose to speak.

– You must be informed that you may indicate in any manner at any time or stage of the process that you do not wish to be questioned and that once you make such indication, you may not be interrogated, if the interrogation has not yet begun, or the interrogation must cease if it has already begun.

– You must be informed that your initial waiver of your right to remain silent, your right to counsel, or any of your rights, does not bar you from invoking your rights at any time during the process, regardless of whether you have answered some questions or volunteered some statements.

– You must also be informed that any statement or evidence obtained in violation of any of the above procedures or guidelines, whether inculpatory or exculpatory, in whole or in part, is inadmissible in evidence.

(a) A common practice of investigating officers is to present a person arrested with a confession already drawn up and ready for signature, then to intimidate the suspect into signing the statement without reading it. And since uncounselled confessions have been disallowed under the Constitution, the investigating officers may have lawyers to assist you during the confession. Remain firm, but respectful. Insist that you would like to get your own lawyer, and ask for the opportunity to get in touch with your lawyer. Since they now know that you know your rights, the chances that you will be manhandled or coerced into confessing are reduced.

(b) If you have not been informed of your rights to remain silent and to have competent and independent counsel of your choice, the arresting officer or employee or the investigating officer who fails to inform you of your rights is liable to suffer a fine or penalty of imprisonment, or both.

(c) If the arresting officer or employee or the investigating officer or anyone acting upon their orders or in their place fails to provide you with competent and independent counsel if you cannot afford the services of your own counsel, s/he is liable to suffer a fine or a penalty of imprisonment, or both.

(d) Whoever obstructs, prevents, or prohibits your lawyer, any member of your family, any medical doctor or religious minister from visiting and conferring privately with you, or from examining and treating you, or from ministering to your spiritual needs, at any hour of day, or, in urgent cases, of the night, is liable to suffer the penalty of imprisonment and a fine.

Know Your Rights 4: Salvaging

* Inilathala ng Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG)
* Isinalin sa Filipino ng Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ)

Know Your Rights 4-1

KUNG ANG PANIWALA MO AY HUHULIHIN KA O ISA-SALVAGE
IF YOU BELIEVE THAT YOU WILL BE ARRESTED OR SALVAGED

Gawin ang mga sumusunod na hakbang pag-iingat:

* Huwag lumabas ng bahay na nag-iisa. Ang mga kaso ng disappearance at salvaging o extrajudicial killing ay dumarami kapag walang witness na pwedeng tumestigo ukol sa paghuli sa mga biktima.

* Iwasan ang mga kugar kung saan walang nakakakilala sa iyo.

* Huwag manatiling nag-iisa sa bahay o saan mang lugar.

* Sabihan ang iyong pamilya at mga kaibigan na may posibilidad na ikaw ay ma-aresto at kung ano ang dapat nilang gawin sakaling mangyari ito. Sabihan sila kung sino ang dapat hingan ng tulong, paano sila ma-kontak, at kung saan-saan ka dapat hanapin.

Know Your Rights 4-2

* Bago lumabas ng bahay, sabihan ang iyong pamilya ang mga kaibigan kung saan ka pupunta, kanino ka makikipagkita, gaano katagal kang mawawala, at kung ano ang dapat nilang gawin sakaling hindi ka makabalik sa oras, o hindi makarating sa iyong destinasyon o appointment. Kung may cell phone ka, mag-text sa mga kaibigan at pamilya para malaman nilang nakarating ka na sa iyong detsinasyon at allis muli sa susnod na apppintment.

* Kapag lumalabas ng bahay, palagiang magdala ng sapat nd identification cards, at iwasang magbiibit ng anumang delikadong bagay na maaring ituring na incriminating.

* Sakaling ikaw ay arestuhin, tiyakin na alam ng mga tao sa paligid na ikaw ay inaaresto at kung sino-sino ang umaaresto sa iyo. Kung kakailangan, sumigaw o gumwa ng eksena upang maakit angpansin ng mga tao sa paligid na ikaw ay inaaresto. Kung may cellphone ka, tumawag o mag-text sa iyong pamilya, mga kaibigan, at abogado upang malaman nila na ikaw ay inaaresto.

Know Your Rights 4-3

* Ang nga kaso ng disappearance o salvaging ay maaring mabawasan kung masasamahan o masusundan ka ng iyong pamilya, mga kaibigan, at mga tao sa paligid matapos na ikaw ay maaresto. Sa ganitong paraan, malalaman ng mga pulis na marami ang may alam na ikaw ay nahuli at mahalaga sa kanila ang iyong kaligtasan. Agad-agad, sabihan ang iyong abogado o isang respetadong miyembro sa lokalidad (pari, guro, doktor, civic leader) kung ano ang nagyari, at hilingin na mabilisang dumalaw sila sa iyo.

* Habang nakakulong na, dapat na bisitahin ka agad-agad ng iyong pamilya at mga kaibigan at padalhan ng mga gamit (pagkain, babasahin, gamot, damit, atbp) sa mga araw na bawal silang bumisita, Huwag pumayag na mailabas ka ng detention center nang walang kasamang abogado o miyembro ng pamilya mo.

Know Your Rights 4-4

* Kahit na may matibay kang impormasyon na huhulihin o isa-salvage ka na, hindi dapat magtago. Mas mainam na papuntahin ang iyong abugado o iba pang responsableng kinatawan upang magtanong kung meron ngang warrant of arrest para sa iyo, at upang humiling ng appointment na maiharap ka ng personal sa mga otoridad, nang may sapat na garantiya sa iyong kaligtasan.

Samantala, ihanda ang sarili — aralin nang lubos ang iyong mga karapatan, alamin kung ano ang dapat mong gawin sakaling ikaw ay mahuli, at siguruhing ikaw ay ligtas at protektado ang iyong mga karapatan.

IF YOU BELIEVE THAT YOU WILL BE ARRESTED OR SALVAGED

Take the following precautions:

* Do not go out alone. The risk of enforced disappearance and extrajudicial execution or “salvaging” increases if no one witnesses or is willing to testify to the arrest of the person who disappeared or was salvaged.

* Avoid going to places where no one knows you.

* Do not stay at home or elsewhere alone.

* Tell your family or friends of the possibility of your being arrested, and what to do in case you are arrested. Tell them specifically who to run to for help, how to get in touch with them, and where to search for you.

* Before going out, tell your family or friends where you are going, whom you will see, why, how long you expect to be out, and what to do if you fail to return on time, or fail to reach your destination or keep your appointment. If you own a cell phone, send a text message to your friends or family informing them that you have reached your destination and are proceeding to your next appointment.

* When you go out, always carry adequate identification, and avoid carrying anything that could be construed as incriminating.

* In case you are being arrested, see to it that people know that you are being arrested and by whom. If necessary, shout or make a scene to attract attention to your arrest. If you own a cell phone, call or send a text message to your family, friends, and lawyers to inform them that you are being arrested.

* Disappearances and salvaging can be prevented or minimized if your family, friends or even bystanders will accompany or follow you and your arresting officers to learn where you are being taken and to show concern over your safety. As soon as possible, they should notify a lawyer or respected member of the community (a priest, teacher, doctor, or civic leader) who, in turn, should try to visit you immediately.

* During detention, your family and friends should visit you as often as possible, and send things to you (food, magazine, medicines, clothes, etc.) on days they cannot or are not allowed to visit. Never agree to be taken out of jail or the detention center by anyone unless accompanied by your lawyer or a member of your family.

* Even if you have reliable information that there is a plan to arrest or salvage you, it is not advisable to go into hiding. Instead, request your lawyer or other responsible person to inquire if there is a warrant for your arrest, and if there is, to arrange for you to present yourself to the proper authorities under adequate guarantee for your safety. Meanwhile, prepare yourself by reviewing your rights and deciding what you will do if you are arrested, to protect your safety and enforce your rights.

Know your Rights 3: Arrests

* Inilathala ng Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG)
* Isinalin sa Filipino ng Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ)

Know Your Rights 3-1

KAPAG IKAW AY INAARESTO

TANDAAN

* Kumalma lang. Ang pagka-aresto ay hindi katapusan ng mundo. Tumutok sa bawat pangyayaring nagaganap upang mabawasan ang pangamba, at huwag mag-alala sa mga kung ano ang susunod na mangyayari.

* Humiling sa isang kamag-anak, kaibigan, o taong di kilala (kunin ang pangalan at address) na maging witness sa paghuli sa iyo. Kung may cell phone, mag-text sa iyong pamilya, mga kaibigan, at abogado, para malaman nilang ikaw ay inaaresto. Tawagan sila at hayaan buhay ang linya ng telepono upang madinig nila ang nangyaryari.

* Kunin ang pangalan, opisyal na position, opisina at unit, ng mga tao na umaaresto sa iyo.

* Hingin ang kopya ng kanilang warrant of arrest para sa iyo at suriin itong mabuti. Alamin kung tumpak ang pangngalan mo na nakasulat sa warrant at kung ano ang paglabag sa batas na dahilan ng pag-aresto sa iyo.

* Kung may mali o depekto ang warrant, ipahayag ang iyong pagtutol pero huwag pumalag o gumamit ng dahas.

* Kung ikaw ay ligal na inaaresto, maaring kang kapkapan para sa posiblen deadly weapons or anuman bagay na dala mo na maaring gamiting katibayan para sa krimen na dahilan kung bakit ka inaaresto.

Know Your Rights 3-2

* Alamin sa iyong arresting officer kung saan ka dadalhin. Pilitin na dapat ay may kasama kang kamag-anak, kaibigan o di-kilalang tao na naka-witness ng iyong pag-aresto. Sabihin sa arresting officer na ito ay para na rin sa proteksyon ninyong dalawa.

* Hilingin na payagan kang tumawag sa iyong abogado; kapag tumanggi, sabihan ang iyong kamag-anak, kaibigan, o ibang witness sa iyong pagka-aretso na sila ang tumwag sa iyong abogado. Ipaalam sa iyong abogado ang mga pangyayari, ang pangaan ng iyong arresting officers, ang dahilan ng iyong pagka-aresto, at kung saan ka dadalhin ng arresting team.

* Sa lahat ng pagkakataon, huwag tutulan ng pisikal ang pag-aresto sa iyo. Ipahayag na ikaw ay tutol sa iyong pagka-aresto wala kang waiver o pagtalikod na gagawin sa lahat ng karapatan mo, at sasama ka nang mahihahon sa arresting team para iwasan ang karahasan.

* Kung ang humuhuli sa iyo ay naasuot sibilyan o hindi unipormado, or tumatangging ibigay ang kanilang pangalan, o walang maipakita na warrant of arrest, huwag sumama sa kanila. Hilingin na tunawag ka ng pulis upang maklaro ang kanilang otoridad. Ayon sa batas, ang mga arresting officer ay dapat naka-uniporme, maayos ang kumilos, at may paggalang sa mga karapatan at dignidad ng kanilang aarestuhin. Kung ang arresting officer ay lumalabag sa mga ito, huwag mag-cooperate sa kanila pero huwag ding gumamit ng dahas. Hayaang bitbitin ka nila, magsisigaw at humingi ng tulong, mag-eksena upang tumawag pansin ng mga kapitbahay at mga nagdaraan. Tandaan ang lahat ng paglabag sa iyong mga karapatan at sa unang pagkakataon na makaharap sa judge o piskal/public prosecutor, mag-report at ikwento ang mga naganap.

Know Your Rights 3-3

* Kung ikaw ay sinabihan ng mga police officer hindi ka hinuhuli pero iniimbita lang for “questioning”, sagutin na kailangan mo munang kumonsulta sa iyong abogado. Gawin ito at sabihan ang iyong abogado na kausapin ang mga officer at itakda ang oras, petsa, at lugar kung saan pwedeng maganap ang questioning. Kung hindi ka payagan na kumonsulta sa iyong abogado, huwag sumama sa mgaofficer. Kapag pinilit ka nila, ang magaganap ay isang pag-aresto na rin.

Know Your Rights 3-4

* Ang pangkalahatang probisyon ng batas ay pwede ka lang ma-aresto kung mayroong valid na warrant of arrest na galing sa isang competent court. Gayunman, may tatlong exception sa probisyong ito ng batas:

– Kung ikaw ay may ginawa, o ginagawa, o nagbabalak gumawa ng krimen, sa harap mismo ng arresting officer;

– Kung may krimen or pglabag sa batas naganap pa lang at ang arresting officer ay may dahilan, batay sa personal na kaalaman sa mga facts at circumstances ng nangyari, na may probable cause na ikaw ang maysala;

– Kung ikaw ay tumakas mula sa kulungan o habang inililipat mula sa kulungan.

Know Your Rights 3-5

ULITIN NATIN: MAGING MAHINAHON.

Mag-concentrate sa mga nangayayari. Huwag mangamba ng lubos sa mga kung ano ang susunod na mangyayari. Maaring ang iyong kinatatakutan ay kathang-isip lang. Huwag mag-alala kung malimutan mo ang lahat ng mga payong ito. Hindi lahat ay pwedeng maganap ng perpekto. Maipagtatanggol mo ang iyong mga karapatan kung ikaw ay kalmado at malinaw ang kaisipan.

Know Your Rights 3-6

IF YOU ARE BEING ARRESTED

Remember:

* Stay calm. Being arrested is not the end of the world. Some apprehension is unavoidable but you can reduce this by concentrating on each event as it happens, and not letting your imagination run wild about what will happen next.

* Ask a relative or friend or even a stranger (get the name and address) to witness your arrest. If you own a cell phone, send a text message to your family, friends, and lawyer informing them that you are being arrested. You may also call your family, friends, and lawyer so they may listen in on your arrest.

* Ask the person or persons arresting you for their names, their official positions, and the office or unit they belong to.

* Ask for a copy of their authority to arrest you and examine it carefully. Note particularly if you are correctly named in the warrant of arrest, and the offense for which you are being arrested.

* If there is any defect in the warrant, register your objection to being arrested but do not resist or use force.

* If you are lawfully arrested, you may be searched for dangerous weapons or anything, which may be used as proof that you committed the crime for which you are being arrested.

* Inquire from your arresting officer where you will be taken. Ask that you be accompanied by the relative, friend or stranger who witnessed your arrest. Assure the arresting officers that this is for their protection as well as yours.

* Ask to be allowed to telephone your lawyers; if denied, ask your relative, friend or other witness to your arrest, to do so. Inform your lawyer of your arrest, the identity of the arresting officers, the cause of your arrest, and where you will be taken.

* Do not, at any time, offer any physical resistance to the arrest. State that you object to your arrest and are not waiving any of your rights, but are going peacefully in order to avoid violence.

* If the persons making the arrest are in civilian clothes, or refuse to give their names or show any warrant of arrest, refuse to go with them. Ask them to let you call for a policeman to verify their authority. Do not agree to being blindfolded. The law requires arresting officers to be properly dressed, to behave properly, and to respect your rights and your dignity. If the arresting officers violate these requirements, do not cooperate, but do not use violence either. Make them carry you out, shout for help, create a scene so that your neighbors and other passersby may notice what is happening. Remember all violations of your rights and complain about them at the first opportunity after your arrest, when you are presented to a judge or fiscal/public prosecutor.

* If you are told that you are not being arrested but merely invited for questioning, reply that you will consult your lawyer first. Do so, then get your lawyer to talk to the officers and arrange a date, time, and place for your questioning. If they do not allow you to consult your lawyer, refuse to go along with them. If they insist, their acts become an arrest and the preceding advice applies.

* The general rule is that you can only be arrested upon proper warrant of arrest issued by a competent court. However, there are three exceptions to this rule:

– When you have committed, are actually committing, or attempting to commit a crime in the presence of the arresting officer;

– When an offense has just been committed and the arresting officer has probable cause to believe based on personal knowledge of facts and circumstances that you committed the offense;

– When you have escaped from prison or detention or while being transferred from one confinement to another.

REPEAT: REMAIN CALM. Concentrate on what is happening now. Do not imagine what will happen next. Many of your fears are self-created. Above all, do not worry if you forgot to do any of the things listed above. They are counsels of perfection, not always attainable. As long as you remain calm and collected, you will be able to protect your rights.

Duterte’s war: CHR mounts probeof 103 drug killings and counting

By Karol Ilagan
Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism

ON TOP of Bayani Arago’s desk at the Commission on Human Rights National Capital Region (CHR NCR) is a pile of clippings now about an inch thick. The news reports, which Arago began collecting last July 1, tell stories of various police encounters that almost always end up with the same outcome: a drug suspect dead.

“Ito ang mabigat (This is tough),” he says. “Every day, I look at newspapers, and that’s all I see. On Saturdays and Sundays, that’s what I read. So many are getting killed and the only thing I see are killings.”

The bodies are piling up as an apparent result of President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s anti-drug campaign, and Arago, officer-in-charge of CHR NCR’s Protection and Monitoring Division, has made it his duty to keep track of the dead.

So far, he has identified at least 33 incidents related to the campaign that will be investigated motu propio or on the commission’s own initiative. In addition, CHR NCR has assigned priority to its investigation of six complaints filed by the surviving kin of those who had been killed.

The Commission on Human Rights, an independent office created by the Constitution, is the national human rights institution of the Philippines.

Since its formation in 1987, the CHR has investigated human-rights violations involving civil and political rights. It had investigated the 2007 enforced disappearance of activist Jonas Burgos. In 2009, it looked into the summary killings associated with the Davao Death Squad linked to then Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte. More recently, CHR launched one of the first human-rights investigations into the accountability of companies for the adverse impacts of climate change.

A multitude of cases involving crime and security, and women and children has kept the Commission constantly occupied. But the unusually high number of drug deaths since Duterte assumed the presidency three weeks ago is now making CHR work double – perhaps even triple – time to accomplish its tasks.

At CHR NCR, for instance, investigators typically work in teams specific to cases like rubout, torture, and unlawful arrest. These days, majority of the office’s 20 investigators are looking into the extrajudicial killings spawned by Duterte’s war against drugs.

Swamped with work

“Actually, our investigators are now almost working 24/7,” says CHR Commissioner Leah Armamento. “They cannot finish their reports quickly because there’s so much to do.”

Across the country, many of CHR’s regional offices have also shifted their attention on possible human-rights violations in the course of the new administration’s anti-drug campaign. In addition, CHR has formed a national task force specific to extrajudicial killings, which it expects to rise in number.

But apart from issuing statements and making recommendations, there may be little that CHR can do to ensure that justice is being served and the rights of the suspects respected. Already burdened with all sorts of handicaps, including limited resources, it had even managed to irritate Duterte himself early on, prompting him to call CHR Chairman Jose Luis Martin ‘Chito’ Gascon an “idiot.”

In his June 30 inaugural speech, President Duterte also pointedly asked Congress and CHR “to allow us a level of governance that is consistent to our mandate.” He said that as a lawyer and a former prosecutor, he knows the limits of his authority as president and what is legal and what is not.

Maim, not kill

The way Duterte’s war on drugs has unfolded, however, has raised questions on whether due process and fair trial are accorded suspected drug criminals, among other things. Armamento for one says that police officials are supposed to follow standard procedures such as reading a suspect his or her Miranda rights, which include the right to remain silent, right to counsel, and the right to be informed. Likewise, in the event that a suspect poses threat, officers are instructed to maim or render him or her defenseless – but still breathing.

“Hindi mo siya tinatamaan sa ulo, which is fatal, o sa puso (You don’t shoot them in the head or chest, which is fatal),” says Armamento, “You don’t kill them because you have to surrender them to the court and then serve justice.”

What’s alarming for the CHR commissioner is that the police appear to be acting like “eager beavers,” wanting to prove to Duterte that they can comply with his directive to rid the streets of criminals.

“None in our legal system allows killing,” she says.

5 regions, 103 cases

The CHR Task Force created to investigate cases of extrajudicial killings is still collecting data from all the regions. But as of July 25, the regional offices of CHR in NCR, Region I (Ilocos Region), Region II (Cagayan Valley), Cordillera Administrative Region, and Region XII (Soccsksargen) are already investigating or reviewing at least 103 such cases.

The total includes 39 cases in NCR; 27 cases in Region I; 15 cases in Region II; 13 cases in the Cordillera Administrative Region; and nine cases in Region XII.

These numbers include cases where the suspect was killed in a police operation, or by an unidentified assailant.

Of the six regional CHR offices PCIJ called on July 22 and July 25, only NCR had a good number of walk-in complainants. CAR, Region I, Region II, Region IV, and Region XII are mostly, if not only, working on motu propio cases or cases that CHR has decided to pursue on its own.

Whether or not there is a complaint, the CHR is constitutionally mandated to “investigate, on its own or on complaint by any party, all forms of human rights violations involving civil and political rights.” Obviously, though, having a formal complaint helps in building a case. Without someone who has direct knowledge about the case, an investigator would have to start from scratch to get details about the case, as well as leads and pieces of evidence.

Indigents mostly

In Region XII, CHR Officer in Charge Erlan Deluvio says they do not typically receive walk-ins because families of most rights victims are indigents. They wouldn’t have the money to spare for travel to visit their office, he says. All the nine cases CHR Region XII is investigating that are connected to the current administration’s war on drugs are motu propio.

Most of the 13 similar cases under CHR CAR are also motu propio investigations. According to CHR CAR Officer in Charge Romel Daguimol, people in Cordillera are not so inclined to pursue cases because it’s not in their culture to make complaints.

For Director Jacqueline dela Peña of CHR Region IV, personal complaints also depend on how determined the surviving kin is to seek redress from government. She says it depends on the character of the individual, as well as the support he or she gets from the community.

Dela Peña says, however, that they may not receive walk-in complaints arising from the recent spate of killings of drug suspects until after the families of the dead have taken time to grieve.

Deluvio of CHR Region XII says they reach out to the victims’ families and motivate them to participate in the process. Not all would cooperate, however. Some who might consider pursuing a case also change their minds because, Deluvio says, they are also easily intimidated by opposing parties.

Limited resources

It doesn’t also help when law enforcement is uncooperative. Police reports are part and parcel of any investigation, but CHR investigators find it hard to get such records in cases involving the police themselves. This would then mean CHR would have to do more spadework, but like most government offices, this is a body operating on limited resources.

The good news is that starting in 2015, CHR has been getting funds more than what it proposes in the annual budget. For the year 2016, it sought a budget of P428.5 million, and then received P460 million.

Still, among the nation’s five constitutional agencies, CHR has the smallest number of staff. In 2015, it had positions open for 680 but only 526 were filled.

“Kung noon nga, kulang na, lalo na ngayon (The resources were already not enough before, but the lack is even more so now),” Deluvio of CHR Region XII says. CHR Region XII itself has only seven active investigators and two vehicles. An investigator could be working on 12 cases at least at a time, and carpooling has become the norm whenever fieldwork is called for.

In Region IV, where the number of drug-related killings is on the high side, the CHR regional office also has only seven investigators. These investigators cover Laguna, Batangas, Quezon, and the whole of MIMAROPA.

No CHR charter

CHR Region IV Director Dela Peña says they are trying their best to respond to needs, but the influx of cases really makes the job harder. She says the passage of the CHR’s charter, which could pave the way for more resources and personnel, is crucial.

The proposed CHR charter aims to strengthen the Commission’s investigative powers and expand its quasi-judicial powers that include preventive and legal measures such as the issuance of an injuction order, order to transfer persons, and restraining order. But in the last several years, attempts to form this charter have failed in Congress.

Armamento says the drug-related killings has spurred CHR in coordinating with various law groups to help it in any way they can. Among these law groups are the Free Legal Assistance Group, Mabini, and the Philippine Association of Law Schools. CHR has also reached out to the Integrated Bar of the Philippines.

Apart from additional funding, Armamento says the president can also help by stressing the importance of respect for law, human rights, and that no extrajudicial killing should take place during police operations.

“That will help a lot because police officers being part of the executive branch will always obey the president,” she says.

Davao Death Squad

It is still too early to say what will become of CHR’s efforts to respond to the rise of killings of drug suspects. But the results of its investigation into the summary killings in Davao City some seven years ago could be some indication on what could happen next.

The CHR investigation in 2009 had been prompted by a growing concern, inside and outside the country, over the numerous dead bodies turning up across Davao City that time.

The Commission found “a systematic failure on the part of the local officials to conduct any meaningful investigation into said killings, thereby violating the State’s obligation to protect the rights of its citizens.” CHR thus recommended the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate “the possible administrative and criminal liability of Mayor Duterte for his inaction in the face of evidence of numerous killings committed in Davao City and his toleration of the commission of those offenses.”

In March 2012, the Ombudsman found 21 police officers — but not Duterte — guilty of simple neglect of duty. The officers faced penalties ranging from one-month suspension to a fine equal to a month’s salary.

In May 2016, the sole witness in the Department of Justice’s subsequent investigation into the Davao Death Squad left the government’s witness protection program, putting a halt into the probe. In the same month, Duterte won the presidency. — With additional reporting by Davinci Maru, PCIJ, July 2016

Steer clear of bad Aquino policies, environment groups urge Duterte

By Karol Ilagan

Conference

UNITED FOR THE ENVIRONMENT. Students and environmental activists held placards with calls for change in environment policies addressed to President Rodrigo R. Duterte. Photo by Karol Ilagan/PCIJ

FRANCES Quimpo’s recollection of the country’s worst tragedies under a parade of Philippine presidents past reveals a singular pattern — death, devastation, and a dearth of lessons learned.

More than 200 people died when mounds of garbage at the Payatas dumpsite in Quezon City collapsed. Triggered by a typhoon, the landslide took place six months before Joseph Estrada’s ouster from Malacañang in January 2001.

During Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s nine-year presidency, a string of typhoons — Frank, Ondoy, and Pepeng, to name a few — flooded many parts of the country, taking hundreds of lives and damaging billions worth of properties. It was also under Arroyo when the government’s flagship mining project in Rapu-Rapu, Albay spewed out cyanide into the sea, causing massive fish kills.

Quimpo, executive director of the Center for Environmental Concerns-Philippines (CEC), said these disasters should have served Arroyo’s successor, Benigno S. Aquino III, important lessons. The political and economic policies that previous governments had pushed, she said, had put the environment at risk, and aggravated the impact of natural hazards in what was by then the climate-vulnerable state of the Philippines.

But in the next six years as president, Aquino saw the issuance of executive orders, which according to environmental advocates, did little to address the problems they were meant to solve. On top of these new policies are old laws that are either problematic to begin with or not enforced properly.

Frances Quimpo

A TRAIL OF DISASTERS. CEC Executive Director Frances Quimpo gives a rundown of calamities that had visited the nation since former President Joseph Estrada’s term.Photo by Karol Ilagan/PCIJ

Gathered at a forum Monday afternoon, environmental groups thus urged President Rodrigo R. Duterte to steer clear of the programs and policies of his predecessors that run counter to the protection of communities and natural resources.

Presenting CEC’s annual “State of the Philippine Environment” report, Owen Migraso, CEC coordinator for the Eastern Visayas Yolanda Recovery Program, said the Aquino government issued Industrial Forest Management Agreements in Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, and CARAGA, which were all recently hit by disasters. Multiple mining tenements have also been located on Luzon island, which hosts the greatest concentration of unique mammals.

Migraso cited Aquino’s Executive Order No. 23 on logging, Executive Order No. 26 or the National Greening Program, and Executive Order No. 79 on mining as problematic. These orders, he said, have turned forests and other resources into commodities at the expense of the lives and livelihood of poor and vulnerable communities.

The forum, co-organized by the CEC, Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment (Kalikasan PNE), and Eco-Challenge for Change coalition, also served as a venue to discuss the environmental challenges that the groups want Duterte to address.

Secretary Gina Lopez of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) was invited to speak at the forum but she failed to show up.

Clemente Bautista, Kalikasan PNE’s national coordinator, said that so far, their groups have not seen any actions from Duterte that would run against their environmental agenda; they have not also heard, however, of any pronouncements or seen any significant moves that would signal changes in the Aquino administration’s policies.
Clemente Bautista

IS CHANGE COMING? Kalikasan PNE National Coordinator Clemente Bautista posed this question to forum attendees on July 18. Photo by Karol Ilagan/PCIJ

A week before Duterte took his oath of office last June 30, the “Eco-Challenge for Change”, a coalition of environmental groups, including CEC and Kalikasan PNE, presented its 14-point agenda for the president to act on.

Signed by 41 groups, the coalition’s list of demands includes stopping illegal large-scale mining in environmentally critical areas and imposing a moratorium on the new construction and expansion of coal-fired power plants.

“Ang nakikita namin ngayon ay ang mahigpit na implementation ng mga environmental guidelines, pag-pepenalize ng mga violating private entities, at mga pangako na magkakaroon ng mabuting komunikasyon sa pagitan ng mga komunidad at mga organizations na tulad namin,” Bautista said. (What we are seeing now is strict implementation of environmental guidelines, penalizing of violating private entities, and promises that there will be good communication systems between communities and organizations like ours).

Since Lopez assumed leadership of DENR, work in at least four mining operations has been suspended. The department has likewise conducted an audit of mining activities.

Bautista said the coalition should be able to give a more thorough assessment of the Duterte administration after 100 days. “Sa ngayon, binibigyan namin sila ng puwang para patunayan ang kanilang tindig para sa kalikasan,” he said. (For now, we are giving them the chance to prove their stand for the environment)

While Duterte has shown a track record favoring environmental protection, the groups are also well aware of the former mayor’s support for the construction of a coal power plant and the establishment of palm oil plantations in Davao City.

On Monday, Duterte said he would not honor the Paris climate agreement, laying blame on developed countries for their bigger role in climate change. Signed by 178 countries, the historic deal is an effort to keep global warming below 2 degrees Celsius by reducing carbon emissions.

Bautista said Duterte was right to demand greater responsibility from developed countries but that they hope, too, that the president would not support the expansion of coal-fired power plants as this would be counter-productive.

“Our renewable and indigenous energy resources such as hydro, geothermal, solar, and natural gas are more than enough to provide our energy needs now and in the future,” he said in a statement.

Environmental sociologist Patria Gwen M.L. Borcena, meanwhile, said DENR needs a “reform team” composed of members from civil society and the academe who will occupy key positions and help Secretary Lopez.

This, Borcena said, is another lesson that should be learned from the previous administration. To be fair, she said an environment agenda was included in Aquino’s “A Social Contract with the Filipino People” and later as one chapter in the 2011-2016 Philippine Development Plan. This, she said, was the first time for the country’s development plan to have an entire chapter devoted to environment and natural resources.

Borcena said the execution of these plans did not run well in large measure because DENR did not have a reform team. Former DENR Secretary Ramon Paje and his leadership team, she said, came from the bureaucracy.

Prior to his appointment in 2010, Paje was DENR undersecretary for field operations and executive director of the Minerals Development Council under the Office of the President.

Moreover, Borcena said DENR would benefit from promoting “participatory environmental governance at all levels,” which was absent during Paje’s term. This setup could help ensure a partnership between civil society organizations and DENR.

“It shouldn’t just be token partnership. It should be institutionalized,” she said.

Borcena is a co-convenor of the Citizens’ Environment Network. She was also involved in Aquino’s presidential campaign and later joined the Inter-Agency Technical Working Group that crafted the environment chapter in the Philippine Development Plan.

At the forum’s close, CEC’s Quimpo noted that environmental issues could not be separated from political and economic policies. Efforts such as tree-planting and coastal cleanups should go hand in hand with fixing problems at the policy level, she added.

Quimpo said the president has so far made pro-people policy pronouncements but the challenge is delivering results. “Let us use these to ensure that change will come by pressing the Duterte government to walk the talk.” < strong>– PCIJ, July 2016