Killings issue no connection with trade agreements, Palace tells EU

Malacañang on Sunday said that the issue on killings linked to the administration's war on drugs should not affect the Philippines' trade deals with Europe.

In a statement, presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said, "We would rather that the European Parliament engage us as partners in nation-building, as the visionary EU (European Union) business community seems to intend themselves."

"Non-trade accusations, especially if baseless and undeserved, should therefore not be linked with trade programs," he also said.

Abella made the statement after Franz Jessen, EU envoy to Manila, reportedly reiterated warnings that the country's trade with Europe may be affected if the Philippine government continues to ignore concerns over human rights violations, including the bloody war against illegal drugs.

Jessen said the EU was not imposing UN conventions on the Philippines, which is already expected to abide by its international commitments.

A similar observation was made last month by European Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malstrom, who said the Philippine could possibly lose billions of dollars, in trade deals under the Generalized System of Preference Plus (GSP+), if judicial concerns persist, including the moves to reimpose death penalty. 

The GSP+ agreement grants the Philippine zero duties on a total of 6,274 locally-made products.

However, the agreement—currently under review—requires the Philippine ratification of 27 international conventions which cater to human and labor rights, environmental protection, and good governance, among others.

But Abella said, "We assure our friends and allies that the Philippines will respect its international commitments."

In reiterating his defense of the administration's drug war, Abella noted that the initial findings of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) show that extrajudicial killings are "not state-sanctioned."

He also said that the police "are conducting legitimate" operations "that require observance of operational protocols." He added that officers who go against this "are answerable to the law."

Also, he pointed out that the anti-illegal drugs drive enjoys the support of the public.

"The President's war against dangerous drug traffickers intends to protect innocent which illegal drugs would destroy. The citizens appreciate the long-awaited peace and order under President Duterte," he said.

He added that the Philippines is "now ready for economic take-off," with "record-high" foreign direct investments in 2016, amounting to $7.9 billion. 

President Rodrigo Duterte has repeatedly launched expletives-laden remarks against EU, which is critical on his anti-drug war.

The EU, in turn, has summoned Alan Deniaga, Charge d'Affaires of the Philippines in Brussels to explain the "recent unacceptable comments" of the President against the Union.  —Rose-an Jessica Dioquino/LBG, GMA News