THE administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. plans to establish a Forensic Institute to pave the way for science-based investigations in criminal prosecution.
This was revealed by Department of Justice (DOJ) Undersecretary Raul Vasquez during a news forum in Quezon City on Saturday.
Vasquez said at least three foreign ambassadors have committed to helping the Philippine government achieve the plan.
He added that the plan was announced during the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in December 2023.
“Noong pumunta po si Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin sa 75th Anniversary ng Universal Declaration of Human Rights, tatlo po iyong pledges niya. Halos lahat iyan nagawa na natin, December of last year,” Vasquez said.
He said the Forensic Institute was the government’s third pledge as announced by the Executive Secretary. “Kasi po ang third pledge po ng ating gobyerno ay iyong magkaroon ng Forensic Institute.”
“Iyong Forensic Institute na ito is to have a science-based investigation and criminal prosecution. And more importantly, it will also help in maritime disasters and natural calamities, etcetera,” Vasquez said.
“Mayroon na po kaming nakikitang areas kung saan gagawin iyong institute na iyan and we are so proud to say na there are at least three countries, whose ambassadors have already affirmed their commitment to help us — Australia, UK (United Kingdom) and Norway, if I am not mistaken,” he added.
Vasquez said the two other pledges announced during the Geneva event were the issuance of the Administrative Order creating a Special Committee for Human Rights Coordination under the Office of the President.
“[That] is to ensure that the government, all agencies of government would perform their duties and responsibilities under the prism of human rights, that’s number one. Done na iyan, magkakaroon po ng launching nitong August 9. So, pupunta iyong lahat ng embahada doon sa DOJ (Department of Justice) for the formal launching,” he said.
Number two is the creation of the Philippine Human Rights Plan, which is also ongoing, he added.
