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Wednesday, October 25, 2017
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MANILA – The government is investigating drug-related and extrajudicial deaths and media violence, Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella stressed on Tuesday.
Abella was reacting to the European Union’s (EU) 2016 Report on Human Rights and Democracy in the World released last week.
The report discussed the significant gains of the Duterte administration in other areas of governance but mentioned the “serious deterioration in respect for the right [to] life, due process and the rule of law.”
“It cited the war on drugs and the prevailing culture of impunity of human right defenders and media workers,” said Abella.
The Palace spokesman emphasized that the Duterte administration is looking into all the reported deaths.
But he justified that all drug-related deaths in legitimate police operations “resulted when the suspects fought back and the police had to act on self-defense based on the rules of engagement.”
“While they remain as suspects, their violent resistance [to] police officers, whose lives were put at risk, are considered actionable offenses,” said Abella.
Congressional hearings that looked into the allegations “have proven that the state does not sanction wanton and unjustified killings,” he said.
“Impunity does not have a place in this administration,” said Abella.
Meanwhile, the presidential spokesman noted that the EU also acknowledged the Philippine government’s efforts for peace, particularly the “new momentum provided to the Mindanao peace process.”
“The report likewise stated the Philippines’ very high ranking on gender equality ratings and EU’s full support in the full implementation of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act, which the President (Rodrigo Duterte) included in his 10-point socioeconomic agenda,” said Abella.
Moreover, Duterte signed Executive Order No. 12, which aims to attain and sustain “zero unmet need for modern family planning,” he said. (PNA)
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