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Philippines has nothing to hide, Cayetano tells Tillerson
Philippines Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano and US secretary Rex Tillerson. (Photo from www.dfa.gov.ph)
Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said that the Philippines is open to any independent investigation into alleged extrajudicial killings as long as the investigators will not “politicize the process.”
“We made it clear that we have nothing to hide and that we are ready to work with experts or observers as long as they are independent and fair,” Cayetano said in a statement.
“We would welcome experts if they can assure us they would not politicize the investigations because we want to make sure the outcome would be credible,” he added.
Cayetano met his US counterpart US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to discuss issues of mutual interest and concern.
He said that the country will further cooperate with Washington on initiatives that would address the illegal drugs problem in the country.
“Secretary Tillerson and I discussed a broad range of bilateral issues, including our ongoing campaign against criminality, terrorism, and illegal drugs,” Cayetano said.
The two secretaries also reaffirmed the importance of the partnership and alliance between both countries.
Tillerson noted that the partnership between the US and Philippines is on an “upward vector.”
Cayetano stressed that the rampant transactions of illegal drugs is a serious problem of the country.
“In the 25 years that I have been in public service, I have seen statistics from various sources placing the number of drug users and dependents from as low as one million to as high as seven million,” the Secretary said.
Earlier, in a press conference, Cayetano questioned the statements of UN Special Rapporteur Agnes Callamard’s against the Philippines.
“Please look at the tweets and statements of this special rapporteur, your excellencies. If you were Filipino and you read these slides, would you think that the rapporteur is factual, is fair?” Cayetano said.
Cayetano flew to New York as he participated in the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly.
