Cayetano to EU lawmakers: Respect PHL sovereign prerogative

The latest attempt by European lawmakers to initiate “unwarranted and uncalled for actions” against the Philippines already constitutes interference in Manila’s internal affairs, according to Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter S. Cayetano.

“The European Parliament has crossed a red line when it called for unwarranted actions against the Philippines,” Secretary Cayetano said in a statement issued after the body adopted a resolution critical of the political situation in the country.

“This resolution that the European Parliament just adopted is based on biased, incomplete and even wrong information and does not reflect the true situation on the ground,” he added.

“In case the members of the European Parliament are not aware of it, may we remind them that their recommended actions already constitute interference in the affairs of a sovereign state.”

The European Parliament called on the government to immediately end its campaign against illegal drugs. The campaign, the group said, has resulted in the deaths of around 12,000 men, women, and children.

The resolution also called for the release from detention of Sen. Leila de Lima, the removal of United Nations Special Rapporteur Victoria Tauli-Corpuz from a government list of individuals with links to the Communist Party of the Philippines and its military arm, the New People’s Army.

“As a sovereign state, the Philippines expects all members of the international community to respect the country’s prerogative to determine national priorities and policies that are responsive to the needs of its people,” Cayetano said.

Cayetano warned European legislators anew against efforts to discredit the government of President Rodrigo Duterte.

“It is really disappointing that European lawmakers have allowed themselves to be influenced and manipulated by certain interest groups in the Philippines and abroad who have politicized and weaponized human rights as part of their efforts to undermine the legitimately installed government of President Duterte,” he said.

In his statement, the Secretary acknowledged that the views of members of the European Parliament do not reflect those of the European Union as a whole or of its individual member states.

He lamented the failure of European legislators to appreciate the country’s efforts to inform its international partners on what it is doing to protect and promote human rights. 

The Secretary, however, said the Philippines will continue to engage its partners in a transparent manner and will continue to attach utmost importance to the promotion and protection of human rights. 

“We will continue to engage the European Union in constructive dialogue on all issues, including those raised by the European Parliament, based on the principles of sovereignty, non-interference, and mutual respect,” he said. — BAP, GMA News