CHIEF Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo on Monday expressed confidence that the Philippine government could defend the government's war on drugs before the United Nations' Human Rights Council (UNHRC).
Panelo was optimistic that the UN human rights body would accept with "open arms and mindedness" the explanation of the Philippines on the real situation of drug war under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.
"I think the UN will receive in open arms and mindedness the evidence that will be presented. I think the delegation has sufficient facts and figures to destroy whatever black propaganda the other critics have hurled against the President," Panelo said in a chance interview.
The Philippine delegation to Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is now in Geneva, Switzerland to present the human rights records of the country to the UNHRC.
Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella, in a statement, said the delegation will emphasize its success in "upholding and protecting" human rights during the third cycle of Universal Periodic Review of the United Nations Human Rights Council.
"Today, May 8, the Philippine delegation highlights our significant achievements in upholding and protecting human rights," Abella said.
The Philippines last participated in the UPR in 2012. The Philippine UPR delegation, co-chaired by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano and Deputy Executive Secretary Menardo Guevarra, will present UNHRC the human rights situation in the country before the UNHRC.
This year's review covers the last four years of the administration of former President Benigno Aquino II and the period since Duterte took office in July 2016.
Since Duterte waged his war on illicit drug trade, he has been accused of committing human rights violations. He has also earned criticisms from his opponents and the international community after thousands of individuals has been killed in his war on drugs.
Abella said the Philippine government is expecting an "interactive" dialogue with participants of the UNHRC's UPR.
"The actual review for the Philippines includes interactive discussion between the Philippines under review and other UN member states. This takes place during a meeting of the UPR Working Group," Abella said.
"During this discussion, UN member states can make comments and/or give recommendations. Only UN member states who have been able to express intent before the deadline can ask questions," he added.
Panelo said the delegation would be able to allay the fears of the UN human rights body over the President's anti-drug war.
"Certainly, I have no doubt about that. [The Philippine delegation can] demolish whatever black propaganda the other critics have sown against the President because the facts and figures speak for themselves. They are there," Panelo said. (VoxPop Philippines)
