Gov’t ready for Universal Periodic Review of human rights in PHL

In a Facebook live video, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, who was in Malacanang for “official work” said that the cabinet will be meeting to discuss the human rights records in the country. (Photo: Alan Peter Cayetano/ Facebook)

MANILA–The Duterte administration is ready to defend its “comprehensive” approach to human rights in the Philippines as the Periodic Universal Review of human rights records in the Philippines is set to take place next month, a senator said Tuesday.

In a Facebook live video, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, who was in Malacanang for “official work” said that the cabinet will be meeting to discuss the human rights records in the country.

“Ang ating Periodic Universal Review ng human rights records sa Pilipinas ay coming up sa Geneva at ang iban’t ibang ahensya ay nagme-meeting para ipakita kung paano naging very comprehensive ang naging human rights sa ating Pangulo,” Cayetano said via Facebook live.

Cayetano, a staunch ally of President Rodrigo Duterte, reiterated that human rights involved not only the rights of criminals but also the security of civilians.

“Human security and national security is part of human rights and we will endeavor the whole team to UN, Europe, US to whole world that the President is working hard to make each and every Filipino safe for our country,” Cayetano said.

The senator pointed out that because illegal drugs affected three to four million Filipinos, it would be what he described as “a gross human right violation” if the Duterte administration “would not do anything about it.”

“It’s a matter of explaining to the rest of the world that the language used by the President is the language that’s acceptable by criminals, syndicates and drug lords,” Cayetano stressed.

“The politically correct language they want to impose to our President is good for business, schools but for hardened criminals, they wont understand or follow,” he added.

He further said that peace and order would lead to prosperity and development.

The senator, meanwhile, urged the public to have faith in Pres. Duterte and his cabinet.

“Please have faith. Please believe in the President’s vision and sincerity. Let’s believe in the President’s men. We’re not perfect, we don’t say that the departments are perfect but everyone’s trying their best,” he added.