Philippine National Police National Capital Region Police Office Taguig City MESSAGE Human rights is founded on the inherent dignity and worth of every human person, hence, must be respected at all times. Everyone has to bear in mind that even if a person has violated a law and comes into contact with law enforcers such person cannot be stripped of his or her right to dignity. Neither does a person shed off this right when placed in a police lock-up cell. Under the circumstance, the rule of law comes into play to guard the observance of due process from the initial stage of deprivation of liberty, ensure respect for the dignity and humanity in the handling and treatment of such persons, and give due regard to vulnerability. The August 27, 2014 Conference on Human Rights and the Rule of law in the Notional Capitol Region took cognizance of the realities on the ground - the issues on human rights vis-a-vis law enforcement as culled from the CHR and NCRPO records, as well as media reports. Thus, the implementation of the Project Study on Police Lock-Up Cells in the NCR, which is Component I of the four (4) major undertakings agreed upon by the CHR and the NCRPO geared towards policy development for the protection of human rights, including immediate steps to be undertaken. Coupled with its commitment under the La Breza Declaration, the NCRPO welcomes the assessment report on the Human Rights Situation in Police Lock-up Cells in the National Capital Region. Let this first of a kind joint study on police lock-up cells by a National Human Rights Institution and a Police Office pave the necessary reforms in the Philippine National Police, particularly at the police station and precinct levels throughout the country where persons arrested for violation of the law are generally brought for booking, custodial investigation and temporary detention as the circumstances warrant. This calls, however, for the full cooperation and support of all duty-holders in terms of capacity and resources, as well as full compliance with human rights standards pursuant to the Philippines’ obligations under relevant Human Rights Treaties. Finally, I commend all the women and men behind this project study on police lock­ up cells in the NCR. CARMELO ESPINA VALMORIA Police Director/Regional Director