วารสารวิทยาลัยบัณฑิตเอเซีย ...

The policemen are one of the main actors in promoting and protecting human rights in the country. This study aimed to determine the capability-building efforts, knowledge, and practice of human rights-based policing (HRBP), and the challenges of HRBP practice among Filipino policemen in the Province of Cavite, Philippines. The study utilized the mixed method design and administered researcher-made questionnaires to 48 PNP personnel assigned to selected city and municipality police stations in the province. Findings showed that most of the respondents have not attended any human rights training, but had read the PNP Human Rights-Based Policing Manual, and had witnessed the recognition of PNP personnel who exemplified themselves for the cause of human rights. Generally, the respondents understood the HRBP principles under Standard 1: Equal protection, Standard 4: Policing non-violent assemblies, Standard 6: Arresting persons on legal grounds, Standard 7: Detainees’ Rights, Standard 8: Humane Treatment of detainees, and Standard 9: Refusal to obey unjust orders based on their scores in the true-false survey. Also, the respondents have shown inclinations to practice HRBP in different real-life scenarios presented to them. The challenges that confronted the respondents revolved around issues of equal protection, adherence to standard operating procedures, political influence, unjust treatment of suspects, jail congestion, and training programs on human rights. Results suggest strengthening human rights education among PNP personnel and revisiting measures to provide equal protection to both the community and law enforcement members.