A PHILIPPINE delegation headed by Presidential Human Rights Committee Undersecretary Severo S. Catura will present before the United Nations Work Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances (UN WGEID) this week the country’s commitments and obligations in the cases of enforced and involuntary disappearances that occurred between 1975 to 2012. In a statement issued Tuesday evening, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the Philippines will “reassure the United Nations of its commitment to respect, protect, and fulfill its human rights obligations” before the UN panel. The UN WGEID will hold its 117th session in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina from Feb. 11 to 15 to examine more than 760 cases from 37 countries. Permanent Representative to the UN Evan P. Garcia said the Philippine delegation will present the Duterte administration’s domestic policies in addressing enforced or involuntary disappearances. They will also discuss Manila’s engagement to other UN panels as well as raise the country’s concern for UN human rights monitoring mechanisms to “exercise due diligence in reviewing cases received in light of contentious and flawed information surrounding these cases.” — Camille A. Aguinaldo

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