Palace hits back at UN rapporteur: What mounting opposition?

What mounting opposition?

Malacañang on Saturday questioned the remarks of United Nations (UN) rapporteur Agnes Callamard who said there’s a mounting opposition against President Rodrigo Duterte’s brutal war on drugs.

“Yung sinasabi niyang (What she’s saying that) there’s a mounting opposition, it’s a minority voice that favors liberal politics,” Presidential spokesperon Ernesto Abella said in an interview over state-run dzRB radio.

In a Reuters report, Callamard said there was an increasing opposition against Duterte’s crackdown on the narcotics trade.

“There is an increasing awareness on the part of the Filipino people that the war on drugs could hurt them. The surveys that are being done indicate support for the president…but critique the war on drugs,” the rapporteur said.

Abella said the government has been getting “mainly criticisms” from international bodies that have their own agenda.

“What we hear from outside are mainly criticisms. And I suppose that it’s also their role. But we also have to understand that, we also have to understand na ‘yung mga, mga critics po ‘yan (that those critics) are also voices of other forces that are trying to, meron din silang sariling (they also have their own) agenda,” he said.

The Palace official said Duterte’s war on drugs was only meant to protect the Filipino people.

“The President has been consistently very strong in protecting the interest of the nation and maybe it’s what some people don’t appreciate too much,” he said, saying public opinion has shown Filipinos support Duterte’s war on illegal drugs.

“Kung ibabase po natin kasi (If we look at it), based on public opinion, ang laki na po talaga ng strides natin (we have made great strides),” he added.

Duterte has gained international condemnation for his no-nonsense war on drugs but the firebrand leader remained unfazed and has repeatedly said that he was determined to stop the illegal drug trade in the country. CDG

READ: UN special rapporteur welcomes halt on anti-drug operations in PH