Kiko thanks Canada, NZ leaders for talking human rights with Duterte

Opposition senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan on Wednesday expressed his gratitude to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern for bringing up human rights issues with President Rodrigo Duterte.

“We talk about killings and human rights here in the country. We wish government would do more. We wish government would actually stop the killings and bring justice for family and friends left behind by these killings driven by the so-called war on drugs,” Pangilinan, president of the former ruling Liberal Party, said in a statement.

“We thank Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern of New Zealand, and the 270 civil society organizations and leaders worldwide for raising these urgent and vital issues at the ASEAN,” he added.

Both Trudeau and Ardern were in Manila for the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and related meetings.

In a press conference, Trudeau told the media that he was able to talk briefly with Duterte before the ASEAN-Canada 40th Anniversary Commemorative Summit.

According to Trudeau, he mentioned to Duterte the issues of human rights, rule of law, and the extrajudicial killings (EJKs) in the Philippines.

Duterte meanwhile said he considers Trudeau questions on the state of human rights in the Philippines amid the war on drugs as a “personal and official insult.”

Ardern meanwhile was quoted to have told New Zealand media that the deaths resulting from the drug war “requires investigation.”

Duterte and Ardern had a bilateral meeting Tuesday night wherein the New Zealand prime minister mentioned to Duterte the “principles and values” of peace.

Senator Pangilinan said expressing concern for the rights to life and due process should not be considered an infringement on sovereignty.

“[It is] in fact a reminder that all uphold our own widely ratified Constitution, as well as a call that all respect the rule of law,” Pangilinan said.

“These issues concern not only heads of state or the international community, but also the people they represent, including our kababayans abroad. They concern investors and tourists, directly affecting the Philippines’ financial and economic health. They concern all of humanity,” he added.  —Kathrina Charmaine Alvarez/LBG, GMA News