14 September 2016 – Ambassador Cecilia B. Rebong, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations and Other International Organizations, met Mr. Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, High Commissioner for Human Rights of the United Nations, on September 09 at the Palais Wilson in Geneva to brief him on the Philippines’ campaign against illegal drugs.
Ambassador Rebong also handed to the UN High Commissioner an Aide Memoire elaborating on the following points: 1) The Philippines’ resolute and uncompromising commitment to human rights, rule of law and due process; 2) The seriousness of the situation on the prevalence of drug problem in the country.
She emphasized that killings outside legitimate police operations are considered criminal acts and are being investigated. The ambassador assured the High Commissioner that the Philippine government will never tolerate any extra legal or extrajudicial killings.
“Being a state party to eight out of nine core international human rights conventions, the Philippines’ utmost respect on human rights is resolute and uncompromising,” Ambassador Rebong added.
She further stated that “the relentless campaign against illegal drugs is being waged by the Philippines in the context of the prevalent situation of use and sale of illegal drugs in all strata of Philippine society, the increasing criminality in the streets, the involvement of top-ranking officials in the Philippine Government, all of which has destroyed – and continues to destroy – the lives of millions of Filipinos, in particular the youth.”
Ambassador Rebong recalled that President Duterte was elected into office by 16 million Filipinos on a key platform of urgently addressing criminality, peace and order, and eliminating poverty in the country. The campaign against illegal drugs is part of his commitment to the Filipino people. “The President’s 91% approval rating signifies the Filipino people’s support for leadership in the country’s illegal drugs,” she said.
The Philippine Ambassador finally conveyed to the UN High Commissioner the request of the Philippine Government for support in its campaign against illegal drugs. END