38 states to PHL: End drug killings, cooperate in probe

A group of 38 states on Tuesday urged the Philippine government to put an end to drug killings and to cooperate in an investigation.

"We urge the government of the Philippines to take all necessary measures to bring killings associated with the campaign against illegal drugs to an end and cooperate with the international community to investigate all related deaths and hold perpetrators accountable," Iceland said on behalf of 38 states during the 38th session of the UN Human Rights Council.

The statement also said that the group is concerned over alleged harassment of members of the Commission on Human Rights and those exercising the freedom of opinion and expression, including human rights defenders and journalists.

"We call upon the Philippines to provide and guarantee a safe and secure environment for all, including journalists and Human Rights defenders," it said.

"We urge the Government of the Philippines to cooperate with the United Nations system — including the Human Rights Council and its special procedure mandate holders — without preconditions or limitations," the statement said.

The statement was given on behalf of 38 states:
1.  Australia
2.  Austria
3.  Belgium
4.  Bulgaria
5.  Canada
6.  Croatia
7.  Cyprus
8.  Czech Republic
9.  Denmark
10. Estonia
11. Finland
12. France
13. Georgia
14. Germany
15. Greece
16. Iceland
17. Ireland
18. Italy
19. Latvia
20. Liechtenstein
21. Lithuania
22. Luxembourg
23. Malta
24. Macedonia
25. Montenegro
26. Netherlands
27. New Zealand
28. Poland
29. Portugal
30. Romania
31. Slovakia
32. Slovenia
33. Spain
34. Sweden
35. Switzerland
36. Ukraine
37. United Kingdom
38. United States

Palace reacts

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Saturday said the Philippine government need not be told by foreigners what to do.

"Well maski po walang ganyang panawagan eh talaga naman pong ipinatutupad ang batas. Nasabi ko na sa inyo na may imbentaryo kami nung mga napatay diumano sa giyera laban sa droga para malaman namin kung talagang nasunod ba ang tamang proseso o hindi," he said in a message sent to reporters.

"Ibig sabihin hindi namin kinakailangan ang panawagan ng mga dayuhan, ginagawa na po namin 'yan maski walang ganyang panawagan," Roque added.

A total of 4,279 drug suspects have been killed, while more than 140,000 others have been arrested 22 months since the anti-drug campaign was launched by the Duterte administration, the government said on May 28.

Meanwhile, a total of 143,335 drug personalities were arrested in 99,485 anti-drug operations conducted from July 1, 2016 to May 15, 2018. —KG, GMA News