DFA hits Leni Robredo’s message vs. Duterte’s drug war for ‘unverified info’

The Department of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday criticized Vice President Leni Robredo's message against President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs, saying freedom of expression came with the responsibility that facts were verified.

In a statement, the DFA added that her message was delivered not before the 60th Session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs (UN-CND) in Vienna, Austria but only in one of its many side events.

“The Philippines respects fundamental freedoms, including the right of everyone to speak freely on any topic,” the DFA said. 

“However, freedom of expression is a right that comes with the responsibility to ensure that facts are verified, and unfounded allegations from questionable sources are avoided," it added.

"In this regard, elements in the Vice President’s side event statement need to be verified, as already earlier stated by the Presidential Spokesperson on the matter," the DFA said.

Robredo’s video statement where she spoke on alleged drug-related extrajudicial killings in the country was shown on March 16 at a side event by an anti-drug non-government organization alongside the official meetings in Vienna.

However, this side event, the DFA said, “was not part of the official proceedings of the 60th Session of the UN-CND and did not reflect the stand of participating governments.”

More the 7,000 drug suspects have reportedly been killed since Duterte, 71, came into office in June 30, but the government insisted the figures are lower.

The widespread killings drew condemnation from the United States, European Union and the country’s long-time treaty ally, the United States.

Duterte has been hostile to countries, leaders and international organizations that criticized his war on drugs.

In her video statement uploaded on Youtube, the Vice President called on Duterte to respect the rule of law, “instead of blatant disregard for it.”

“We ask him to uphold basic human rights enshrined in our constitution, instead of encouraging its abuse,” Robredo said, adding that “very grim statistics” reveal that more than 7,000 people have been killed in summary executions.

“We agree that our people deserve nothing less than a safe environment,” Robredo said. “But drug abuse should not be treated as one that can be solved with bullets alone.”

“It must be regarded as it truly is: a complex public health issue, linked intimately with poverty and social inequality,” said Robredo, who has been vocal in her criticisms against the drug war.

The video prompted calls from administration lawmakers to initiate impeachment proceedings against the Vice President for “betrayal of public trust” because she criticized Duterte’s war on illegal drugs.

Robredo, who has been at loggerheads with Duterte on critical issues, such as human rights, has emerged as a leader of the opposition.

A stalwart of the Liberal Party, Robredo late last year was barred from attending Cabinet meetings after she voiced her opposition to Duterte's policies such as his administration's push for the death penalty and

Shortly after, she resigned from the Cabinet.

Despite international criticisms on Duterte’s massive drug war, the DFA said it remained committed to the Philippine government’s fight against criminality and illegal drugs in the country.

“The government is investigating the veracity of allegations of drug-related extra-judicial killings, which are being undertaken precisely in strict adherence to due process and the rule of law,” it said.

Citing the statement delivered at the event by the Philippine Permanent Mission to the UN in Vienna after Robredo’s remarks were shown, the DFA maintained that the government “has pursued a balanced and holistic approach to the drug issue in all its facets - prevention, education, enforcement, rehabilitation, and reintegration.” —NB, GMA News