Philippines replies to UN Human Rights Commission report
The Philippines belied the report delivered by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a press statement Wednesday.
The press statement, quoting Ambassador Cecilia Rebong, Permanent Philippine Representative to the UN in Geneva,.said President Rodrigo Duterte has never empowered police officers to “shoot to kill” any individual whom they claim to suspect of drug crimes.
Delivering the Philippine statement on the second day of the 33rd Session of the Human rights council in response to High Commissioner Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein’s speech, Rebong said what Duterte meant was police have the right to defend themselves when their lives are endangered when drug suspects violently resist arrest.
Rebong emphasized the ongoing campaign against illegal drugs, which has the support of the Filipino public, is “being waged under the leadership and direction of President Rodrigo Duterte, with a firm adherence to the rule of law, due process, and human rights principles.”
She noted while the anti-illegal drug war was unparalleled in Philippine history for its level of tenacity, Duterte in his inaugural speech, affirmed in no vague language his respect for human rights and the rule of law.
She pointed out Duterte has urged civil rights organizations to report any killings which are not in accordance with his pronouncements on the anti-illegal drug campaign.
The spike in the figures on the killings in the Philippines includes deaths resulting from legitimate police operations, killings carried out by vigilante elements, and drug syndicates undertaking a purge among their ranks, the statement said.
It cited the government is investigating these killings committed by vigilante groups and drug syndicates, and is committed to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Rebong said the Philippines denounces and does not resort to extra-judicial or arbitrary executions, and is gravely concerned about accusations purporting that the administration tolerates such actions.
She emphasized “police authorities take seriously allegations of its officers’ involvement in such activities, and follow established internal procedures for investigating and addressing such cases.”
In Manila, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said Duterte is a "respecter of human rights."
"As a lawyer and former prosecutor, the President knows the limits of the power and authority of the presidency," he said in a statement.
Abella said Duterte was also firm in saying human rights could not be used as an excuse to let the spread of drugs in the country run rampant.
"Nothwithstanding the accusations hurled against him, no formal charge of human rights violations has been filed," he said.
He added extrajudicial killings were not the policy of his administration.
Charles Jose, spokesman of the Department of Foreign Affairs, said the Philippines can not commit it will accept a request from the UN to conduct an investigation on the killings.
“(Foreign) Secretary (Perfecto) Yasay said when the two rapporteurs released a statement they already jumped into conclusions so why will they still investigate? We will see if they make a request and if we will allow it,” Jose added. DMS/Celerina Monte
