Alejano slams Duterte admin for detaining Sister Pat, denying Filibeck entry

Magdalo party-list Representative Gary Alejano on Tuesday condemned what he called attempts to "censor" foreign nationals who have criticized the Duterte administration's supposed lack of respect for human rights.

Alejano was referring to 71-year-old Australian nun Sister Patricia Fox, who was detained allegedly due to "disorderly conduct"; and Party of European Socialists deputy secretary-general Giacomo Filibeck, who has been blacklisted and denied entry to the country after he criticized the government's war on drugs.

"I condemn the administration’s attempts to censor these individuals," Alejano said in a statement.

"Contrary to what Malacañang says, both are not making political moves, rather, they are simply making a stand for human rights," he added.

Alejano noted that respect for human rights is a "universal call," unlike how the administration is treating it as a "political" and "divisive issue."

"The Duterte administration... views respect for human rights as a partisan issue precisely because it recognizes that such values have two sides—that you can choose to either be 'pro-' or 'anti-' human rights," he said.

The opposition lawmaker said this "faulty" logic can be seen in the cases of Fox and Filibeck, who are both advocates for the protection of human rights.

Alejano said that the Duterte administration itself is a "human rights violator."

"When those in power are the ones committing the violations themselves, the need to stand up and hold them accountable are essential things that should never be silenced," he added. — BM, GMA News