Disclosure of rights violations not dependent on Trump-Duterte talks

Human rights violations under the present administration's bloody war on illegal drugs should be exposed with or without a discussion between President Rodrigo Duterte and United States President Donald Trump in their bilateral talks, Albay Representative Edcel Lagman said Wednesday.

In a statement, Lagman, one of Duterte's fiercest critics, questioned the "inordinate fuss" on whether human rights concerns were raised by Trump in his meeting Duterte.

The White House said on Monday that the subject was “briefly” talked about in the meeting , while Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque claimed it “did not arise.” 

"Whether or not there was a discussion on human rights violations connected with the Duterte administration’s violent war against suspected drug peddlers and users would not diminish or conceal the unabated transgressions in the country," Lagman pointed out.

Lagman argued that diplomacy and deference to the Philippines restricted any extended talks between Duterte and Trump on human rights violations in the country, which has been subject of criticism from both local and international advocates.

Nevertheless, the joint statement of Duterte and Trump on human rights as being "essential" is enough for now, Lagman said.

"Reading between the lines of the diplomatically worded joint communiqué reveals both an indictment of the Philippine adverse situation and a commitment to positively address human rights violations, particularly against the vulnerable sectors," he said.

"What is overriding is that the Duterte administration must end forthwith the extrajudicial killings even without the prodding of foreign leaders," he added. —Erwin Colcol/LBG, GMA News