Unnecessary to sever ties with Iceland – ex-Palace Spox Roque

Severing diplomatic ties with Iceland, which led a United Nations resolution seeking an international probe into the bloody Philippine drugs war, was unnecessary, former Presidential Spokesperson Atty. Harry Roque said on Sunday.

"Kapag gagawin mo 'yun eh binigyan mo nga ng napakalaking atensyon 'yung UN resolusyon na 'yan. Ang aking paninindigan 'wag masyadong pansinin... Ipagkibit-balikat na lang natin 'yan dahil walang ibig sabihin," said Roque during on Super Radyo dzBB.

"Kaya naman pinili ng European Union ang Iceland na magsalita, kasi siya yung may pinakamaliit na contact sa Pilipinas, ni walang embahada 'yan dito."

The Palace said the resolution was "designed to embarrass the Philippines before the international community and the global audience,” even as President Rodrigo Duterte himself floated the idea of cutting ties with Iceland.

Duterte however conceded that the move could adversely affect Iceland-based Filipinos.

Roque underscored the same point.

"Kapag tinanggal mo ang ating embahada dyan walang mangangalaga sa kapakanan ng mga mamayan dyan sa Iceland," he pointed out. — Dona Magsino/DVM, GMA News