Palace official says UNHRC reso a form of bullying

An official from the Presidential Human Rights Committee (PHRC) described the resolution of United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHCR) seeking a probe on the government's drug war as a form of "bullying."

"We do not see this as something that is effective. We see this as something that is form of bullying. We cannot stand this sort of bullying," PHRCS executive director Undersecretary Severo Catura said in a press briefing.

For Catura, the Iceland-led resolution only negates other mechanisms in the international human rights body where the Philippines has been "very much involved."

"What is the need for a specific country resolution compelling the Philippines to undergo a same review mechanism? So, that totally disregards everything. That's what we are trying to say," Catura said.

Catura also deemed the resolution, which was supported by 18 states, as divisive: "It created an environment wherein certain states out of caprice will just come out with a resolution that we need to look at it."

The PHRC is the primary advisory body to the President in effectively addressing all human rights issues in the country.

Recently, the UNCHR passed a resolution which seeks investigation on the slays blamed on President Rodrigo Duterte's war against illegal drugs. Fourteen countries, including the Philippines, voted against it while 15 other nations had abstained.

The Philippine government described it as “offensive” and “insulting” to the majority of Filipinos who support Duterte’s “unique” leadership style.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. has said the Philippines had no plans to sever ties with any nation over the resolution, even as Duterte remarked that he was "seriously considering" cutting ties with the Nordic country. —KBK, GMA News