Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. on Thursday pushed back against international human rights groups’ assessments that accountability for the country’s past drug war remains inadequate, saying internal accountability mechanisms within the police force are active and enforced.

Nartatez said the PNP respects the views of international rights organizations but disagrees with claims that domestic accountability remains weak, particularly under the current administration.

“We respect the views of international rights groups but we do not agree that accountability mechanisms in the PNP are inadequate. We have strengthened internal investigations and made sure that police officers who violate the law are held accountable,” the PNP chief said.

He stressed that accountability within the police force is not merely a policy position but an operational practice.

According to Nartatez, deaths and even minor injuries resulting from police operations are automatically subjected to investigation as part of established protocol.

His remarks came after Human Rights Watch (HRW) criticized the Philippine government for allegedly failing to ensure sufficient domestic accountability for abuses linked to the drug war of the previous administration.

Nartatez also disputed claims that drug-related killings involving police officers or unidentified assailants have continued under the Marcos administration.

“We acknowledge and respect any advocacy to uphold human rights and the rule of law, but it should be based on facts. What we can also assure is that discipline, professionalism and integrity are among the foundations of the continuing reforms in the PNP,” he said.

The PNP chief added that reforms under his leadership prioritize transparency in cases involving deaths during police operations, in line with the directives of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla.

These reforms, he said, are intended to ensure that police operations remain lawful and accountable while sustaining the government’s fight against illegal drugs.

Nartatez underscored that protecting human rights and enforcing the law are not mutually exclusive, emphasizing the shift toward intelligence-driven and strategic anti-drug operations.