Tag: UN

By: Elena Grace Flores

Discipline is a necessary trait for progress and the Filipinos sorely need it so. foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano says that Duterte’s actions against drugs ultimately protects the rights of the Filipinos. He believes that we are on the right track and that we are saving the country from becoming a narco-state. This is what he says before the General Assembly of the United Nations. By law, no one can be prosecuted by bluffing that he or she killed someone. The due process of law requires an investigation to gather evidence. Therefore, the critics can investigate Duterte all they want and see if there’s probable cause. Logically speaking, the Filipino leader will not say such a thing if he is guilty of it. Surely, his only sin is EJK. He could have solved the problem quickly if he allows eliminating criminals at once.

YouTube video by GMA News

[VIDEO]: Pres. Duterte: Ang kalasanan ko lang ‘yung mga extrajudicial killings

Discipline is Vital to the Rights of Filipinos

To quote Cayetano, “We may sometimes differ in how we express ourselves, yet this should not be interpreted as turning our backs on the universal declaration on human rights. On the contrary, we are instituting all of these reforms to be able to protect the rights of every single Filipino.” This was Cayetano’s defense for Duterte’s drug war. He says that the administration will prioritize to protect the rights of law-abiding citizens first.

PI Adheres to the UN Stance

The Philippines adheres to the stance of the UN with regards to the protection of rights, according to Cayetano. However, if given a choice between the rights of law-abiding citizens and that of drug lords and criminals, the former’s rights are what we choose to protect.

Admittance or a Challenge to Detractors?

The Malacañang have downplayed Duterte’s supposed admission of his sin for extrajudicial killings. He was just being “playful” as they say. Now Cayetano’s remarks came days after this supposed admission. Furthermore, the Philippine delegation employed the same reasoning to the UN assembly at Geneva.

The Media’s Alternative Facts

Cayetano criticized the media and marked their arguments as “alternative facts”. He claims that they have been sourced from the critics of Duterte. Furthermore, he questions them for using a different definition of extrajudicial killings in the oast administration.

Misled International Communities

With the Universal Periodic review of the UN Human Rights Council in 2017, they summarize the 27 recommendations of UN member-states. They urge the Philippines to immediately stop the killings from the context of this drug war. Instead, conduct thorough investigations. Furthermore, Myanmar and Thailand call the Philippines to provide protection from the threat of drugs while upholding human rights as well as to provide appropriate health measures. Most of these countries can only judge Duterte according to what they read. Take the case of the millions of Rohingya refugees from Myanmar to Bangladesh. That should be a priority as far as human rights are concerned.