Locsin should respect Iceland resolution — Hontiveros
MANILA, Philippines — Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. should lead the country in “showing more respect” for the Iceland resolution which calls on the United Nations (UN) to investigate the Philippine government’s war on drugs, opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros said Wednesday.
The draft resolution was signed by 28 nations.
READ: 28 states urge UN to report on human rights situation in PH
Hontiveros said it was “totally unexpected” for Locsin, a top Cabinet official, to claim that if the resolution gathered support, “that means bonuses for everyone who worked for it—from the drug cartels.”
If the Iceland resolution wins that means bonuses for everyone who worked for it—from the drug cartels.
— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) July 9, 2019
READ: Drug cartels to give bonuses if Iceland resolution wins – Locsin
Article continues after this advertisement“I think we should, and hopefully the Foreign Affairs secretary can lead our country, in showing more respect sa ganyang mga resolution galing man sa Iceland o sa ibang bansa and showing more respect for that process,” she said in a Kapihan sa Senado forum.
She remarked that Locsin’s claim was “cynical” of politics, even in the international level, adding that she “expects more” from the Foreign Affairs secretary given that the subject of an “underserved comment” is a very important issue.
“Masyado nang nagiging cynical na ganyan ang paraan ng pulitika kahit sa international levels sa UN na bigayan ng bonus ba yan,” the senator said.
“I certainly expect more from the good Foreign Affairs secretary lalo na dahil ‘yung subject ng ganyang undeserved comment ay isang napaka-importanteng proseso, she added.
Iceland’s resolution also asked the Philippine government to “take all necessary measures to prevent extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances” as well as to conduct “impartial investigations and to hold perpetrators accountable in accordance with international norms and standards including due process and the rule of law.”
The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) which is expected to vote on the said resolution in the coming days, is currently on its 41st session. /muf
