In a significant step toward advancing human rights awareness and accountability in law enforcement, the Eastern Police District under the leadership of PBGEN ADEN T LAGRADANTE, Officer-in-Charge successfully conducted the Human Rights Stakeholders Forum in the morning of May 29, 2025, at the EPD Headquarters Multi-purpose Hall, Caruncho Ave., Brgy. Malinao, Pasig City facilitated by the District Human Rights Affairs Office (DHRAO-EPD) in cooperation with PNP-HRAO.

The forum was graced by ATTY. JACQUELINE ANN C. DE GUIA, Executive Director, Commission on Human Rights as the Guest of Honor and Speaker along with OIC, EPD, members of the EPD Command Group, District Staffs and other Key Officers.

The event brought together over 125 participants representing a broad coalition of stakeholders, including personnel from the Eastern Police District Headquarters, PaMaMariSan City Police Station and DMFB, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), local government units, non-government organizations, community leaders, religious sectors, and youth groups. The forum aimed to deepen collaboration between the police and civil society to ensure that policing practices remain firmly rooted in respect for human dignity and legal safeguards.
In his opening remarks, PCOL LEONARD L LUNA, DDDA, EPD emphasized the importance of institutionalizing human rights in all aspects of police work.

Guest of Honor and Speaker, Atty De Guia addressed the forum, encouraging continuous dialogue and partnership to improve human rights compliance across police operations. “True public safety can only be achieved when the rights of all individuals are protected, regardless of their background or status,” she remarked.

The half-day program featured different lectures about Human Rights, its scope and limitation as well as the Sharia Law and National Law, followed by an open forum where participants explored themes such as custodial rights, protection of vulnerable sectors, and community-based monitoring. Likewise, Insights and actionable recommendations were shared; particularly emphasizing the need for sustained rights based training for police officers and the establishment of accessible human rights mechanisms at the barangay level.

The participants pledged their continued support for upholding human rights in their respective spheres of influence.

According to OIC, EPD, the forum is part of the district’s broader campaign to institutionalize human rights in everyday police practice.

PBGEN LAGRADANTE emphasized; “This is not a one-time event but a continuing commitment. We will ensure that every police officer in the Eastern Police District operates with the highest standards of respect for human life and dignity.”

The Human Rights Stakeholders Forum was lauded by attendees as a constructive and timely initiative, reinforcing the Eastern Police District’s role as a model for rights based and community-centered policing.###