By Czarina Nicole Ong Ki President Duterte's order to "shoot" alleged agitators and violators of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) is a "dangerous" message because it might be misconstrued as an official policy from the government. Commission on Human Rights (MANILA BULLETIN) This is what CHR Spokesperson Atty. Jacqueline Ann de Guia said after President Duterte addressed the nation and discussed the arrest of Sitio San Roque in Brgy. Bagong Pag-asa, Quezon City earlier on Wednesday. De Guia said that human rights must never be disregarded even in times of a national health emergency. "Even stricter restrictions, such as the enhanced community quarantine seen to protect the people’s right to health, are guided human rights standards and principles," she said. In the past, the CHR had expressed alarm over statements made by the national government to sidestep human rights, and President Duterte's latest message to shoot dead the violators of the ECQ is no exception. However, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has given its assurance that it will not abide by President Duterte's statement, but rather “exercise maximum tolerance and within the bounds of law.” "We then urge the PNP to come up with clearer guidelines for its law enforcers on the ground to assure the public that there will be no abuse of power," she said. "In this way, the public can expect greater accountability from the police by showing that the PNP will remain committed in their motto 'to serve and protect' the Filipino people, especially our rights to life and liberty." In the end, de Guia said that the Filipino people must always have a voice in a democracy. Should there be any violations, the CHR urged the government to let laws be its guide for accountability. #