Duterte gov’t asserts right to reject UN members’ recommendations on EJKs

THE ADMINISTRATION under President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Monday stood firm on its position rejecting recommendations of the United Nations’ (UN) 44 member states relating to the alleged extrajudicial killings (EJKs) in the country.

In a press briefing in Malacañang, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto C. Abella said the Philippines’ rejection of certain recommendations “is all part of our prerogative to exercise foreign policy.”

“In fact, the UN has accepted what we’ve said. However, it’s just that, we maintain that there are certain parameters that need not be infringed upon,” he said.

Among the snubbed recommendations was Ghana’s call to let UN Special Rapporteur Agnes Callamard to investigate the EJKs.

On the other hand, President Rodrigo R. Duterte, in several previous speeches, said the UN is welcome to set up a human rights office in the country, and he even invited Ms. Callamard to conduct an investigation.

Mr. Abella said he believes that the President is still “willing to host a contingent from the United Nations to be able to set up shop in the Philippines and I’m sure from the President’s perspective if they set up here, it would be a welcome development.” — Rosemarie A. Zamora