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PHILIPPINES

 

RIGHT OF REPLY
Agenda Item 2. High Commissioner for Human Rights’ Reports
22 March 2017

 

Mister Vice President, this right of reply is made in response to the statements on my country delivered by Australia and the USA, even though the discussion this afternoon under Item 2 is about other countries.  My delegation has taken serious note of the concerns raised by these delegations.

Mister Vice President, I said this before but I may have not come across clearly, so I will say it again: my country’s relentless campaign against illegal drugs is being waged with firm adherence to the rule of law, due process and to human rights principles. It is also anchored not only on law enforcement but also on rehabilitation of drug dependents and on poverty alleviation programs aimed to uplift the economic situation of the victims, especially the youth.  This campaign has the overwhelming support of the Filipino people.

We reiterate that the Philippines denounces and does not tolerate extrajudicial killings. There is neither incitement to kill nor shoot to kill order from the Philippine President. Instead, the police were ordered to follow protocols, and defend themselves when alleged illegal drug peddlers violently resist arrest. The statement of the Philippine President was taken out of context to justify a biased conclusion.

Mister Vice President,

The cited number of killings does not disaggregate deaths that resulted from legitimate police operations, killings among vigilante elements and drug syndicates, as well as common murders. The characterization of all deaths as extrajudicial killings is baseless. 

Let me assure those countries that have raised concerns:  all these killings are thoroughly and impartially investigated. The Philippine authorities are committed to bring the perpetrators to justice.  My delegation calls on concerned delegations to respect and give a chance for the domestic processes to bear fruit.

Thank you Mister Vice President.