By Vanne Elaine Terrazola
Opposition Senator Francis Pangilinan called on the government to cooperate with the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) investigation on the situation of human rights in the country.
Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan (JOHN JEROME GANZON / MANILA BULLETIN)
Pangilinan made the appeal after the UNHRC adopted a resolution, which seeks a "comprehensive written report" on the human rights situation in the Philippines.
The resolution, initiated by Iceland, got the nod of 18 of the 47 member-countries in the UN body, while 14 objected and 15 abstained.
It also called for the Philippine government to "take all necessary measures to prevent extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances, to carry out impartial investigations and to hold perpetrators accountable, in accordance with international norms and standards, including on due process and the rule of law."
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), however, rejected the resolution and questioned its validity.
"We urge the government to heed the call of the resolution of the United Nations Human Rights Council which also calls on it to cooperate with UN offices and mechanisms by facilitating country visits and 'refraining from all acts of intimidation or retaliation'," Pangilinan said in a statement Thursday night.
The Liberal Party president also said he hoped that the measure will convince the Duterte administration, as well as leaders of Congress, to rethink the government's policies in fighting illegal drugs.
He reiterated his call for "real, long-lasting solutions to the drug menace that places a premium on respect for human life."
"Daily killings while failing to go after drug syndicates is not the solution to eradicating the menace of illegal drugs," he added.
Aside from the executive branch, Pangilinan also urged the Supreme Court to "view this resolution as a signal that the international community is deeply concerned about the deteriorating human rights situation in the country, and to act swiftly to correct the situation by ruling on the Tokhang cases still pending before it."
Pangilinan, meanwhile, thanked the countries that supported the resolution.
Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan (JOHN JEROME GANZON / MANILA BULLETIN)
Pangilinan made the appeal after the UNHRC adopted a resolution, which seeks a "comprehensive written report" on the human rights situation in the Philippines.
The resolution, initiated by Iceland, got the nod of 18 of the 47 member-countries in the UN body, while 14 objected and 15 abstained.
It also called for the Philippine government to "take all necessary measures to prevent extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances, to carry out impartial investigations and to hold perpetrators accountable, in accordance with international norms and standards, including on due process and the rule of law."
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), however, rejected the resolution and questioned its validity.
"We urge the government to heed the call of the resolution of the United Nations Human Rights Council which also calls on it to cooperate with UN offices and mechanisms by facilitating country visits and 'refraining from all acts of intimidation or retaliation'," Pangilinan said in a statement Thursday night.
The Liberal Party president also said he hoped that the measure will convince the Duterte administration, as well as leaders of Congress, to rethink the government's policies in fighting illegal drugs.
He reiterated his call for "real, long-lasting solutions to the drug menace that places a premium on respect for human life."
"Daily killings while failing to go after drug syndicates is not the solution to eradicating the menace of illegal drugs," he added.
Aside from the executive branch, Pangilinan also urged the Supreme Court to "view this resolution as a signal that the international community is deeply concerned about the deteriorating human rights situation in the country, and to act swiftly to correct the situation by ruling on the Tokhang cases still pending before it."
Pangilinan, meanwhile, thanked the countries that supported the resolution.