Robredo: Other states seem more concerned over PH killings

Masked gunmen killed this drug suspect, known only as Melvin, in front of Virgo Club on Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City, in March 2017. —(File photo by RICHARD A. REYES / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday said it was “embarrassing” that other countries seemed to be more concerned over the drug war killings in the Philippines than most Filipino officials.

“Other countries are concerned about us. But here, it seems only a few are concerned. It’s like business as usual for everyone. Despite so many killings happening, it’s like nothing is happening,” Robredo, speaking in Filipino, said in her weekly radio, “BISErbisyong LENI.”

“It seem embarrassing that it has to others who take notice, it has to be others showing they care, it has to be others showing their concern,” the vice president added.

Robredo was reacting to the draft resolution submitted by Iceland on Thursday, July 4, to United Nations High Commissioner on Human Rights Michelle Bachelet asking for a “comprehensive written report” on the human rights situation in the Philippines.

The resolution was signed by 28 countries.

READ: 28 states urge UN to report on human rights situation in PH

Robredo also hit the response of Malacañan Palace to the draft resolution, saying that instead of welcoming a UN investigation, the administration saw the move as a form of interference.

On Thursday, presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said any UN investigation on President Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war would be “interference with” Philippine sovereignty.

“We already made our stand,” Panelo told reported in Malacañang. “Any move that will interfere with the sovereignty of this country, the management of this country by a sitting President elected overwhelmingly by the people, to our mind is an interference with our sovereignty.”

READ: Palace: UN probe on Duterte drug war is clearly an ‘interference’

Robredo, however, described this reaction as “unusual.”

“For example, if you’re being accused of something that’s not true, human nature dictates that you prove that the accusation is not true,” she said. “In this case, we are being accused. Instead of us showing that the accusation is not true, we are saying: ‘Don’t meddle with us.’”

Robredo pointed out that international organizations would only try to help if they see a country unable to help itself.

“If we don’t do anything, we will give the impression that we can’t stop [the killings],” she said. “Maybe if we show that we can stop them, other countries would not have to step in. So all of us would really need to wake up because they have a feeling that we are not doing anything [about the problem].”

The Vice President too a jab at seemingly uncaring public officials, saying: “It seems we have a lot of officials — not only national but also local officials — who act as if nothing is happening. It’s like they have become numb to what’s happening around them.”

(Editor: Alexander T. Magno)

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