A Catholic bishop has welcomed the UN investigation into thousands of killings in the Philippine government’s war on drugs, CBCP News reported July 15, 2019.
Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo said the probe will help end extrajudicial killings and bring justice to the victims and their families.
He said the Duterte government should allow the UN Human Rights Council to investigate if there’s nothing to hide.
“If the government considers itself above board in its drug war it should allow itself to be investigated by an outside entity. If it does not it has something to hide,” Pabillo said.
On July 11, The UN body adopted a resolution seeking a probe into the spate of killings in the Philippines, which has claimed the lives even of children.
The resolution was filed by Iceland and was adopted by a vote of 18 countries in favor, 14 against, and 15 abstentions.
Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo criticized the UN move, calling it baseless and one-sided.
He also slammed the resolution, adding that it shows how Western countries disrespect the country’s sovereignty.
Bishop Pabillo chided as ironic Malacañang position on the matter.
“When other foreign bodies want to investigate human rights abuses the government appeals to our sovereignty but when it is a matter of defending our territories and defending our people from China it is silent,” he said.
