95 nations in 3rd UPR convinced no EJKs in PHL

MANILA–Ninety-five out of 105 countries that attended the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in Geneva, Switzerland were convinced that extra judicial killings (EJK) is non-existent in the Philippines.

DILG Assistant Sec. Epimaco Densing, in a press conference on Monday, said the Philippines received congratulatory messages as they noted that this is the first time they heard that the figures reaching them were “spoiled and rotten information.”

“One hundred and nine countries committed in the UPR… All 95 countries who prepared their intervention congratulated the Philippines for improving human rights situation the past five years,” Densing told reporters.

Densing, DILG assistant secretary for plans and program said about 15 to 20 countries expressed concern over the number of drug suspects killed in police operations, although none opposed the ongoing war on drugs.

“They were in a neutral tone. In fact, the 95 countries didn’t say that we should discontinue our anti-drug campaign. They only mentioned that we should review the EJKs in the country. They never said that we should stop the campaign,” he added.

Asked who supplied distorted facts and figures to international human rights organizations, Densing said they picked up the reports from local media.

He said they have already explained that the total number of killings is the summery of all the cases including homicide and murder cases.

“The problem is we give the facts and figures but local media is not reporting our side,” Densing pointed out.

He likewise reported that the European Union, after Senator Alan Cayeteao explained the government side, vowed to help the Philippines by constructing halfway centers.

“Japan was the only country who committed to help the Philippines to rid out illegal drugs,” he noted.

Overall, he said, the Philippine delegation trip to Geneva last week was fruitful and a big success because we had opened the minds of the international community that we do not tolerate EJK.