Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 11) — The Palace made a plea to the European Union after it reminded the Philippines of its commitment to hold all those who violate and abuse human rights accountable.
“I ask the European Union, please give the Philippines a chance to discharge its obligation to investigate, punish, and prosecute those who may have breached our domestic laws,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said during a briefing Thursday.
Roque made the remarks after the EU recalled Manila’s commitment to ensure liability for human rights violators in an earlier statement, where it also welcomed the government’s move to investigate the recent deaths of nine activists during simultaneous police operations in Calabarzon.
In his Monday briefing, Roque assured the public a probe was underway, noting the state is mandated to investigate the killings.
The UN Commission on Human Rights has also expressed alarm over the incident, saying the violent crackdown can promote further “red-tagging” of activists.
“Sa UN High Commissioner for Human Rights at iba pang human rights groups, walang lugar ang impunity sa administrasyong Duterte. Mananagot ang sinuman na lumabag sa batas at mapaparusahan sa ilalim ng ating batas,” Roque said.
[Translation: To the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and other human rights groups, (I assure you) impunity has no place in the Duterte administration. Anyone who breaks the law will be punished under it.]
