US report on PH drug war contrasts with Trump’s views, says Palace

There is a mismatch in the recent human rights report of the United States and US President Donald Trump’s viewpoint, Malacanang said.

This statement came after the US State Department released its Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2017, which stated that extrajudicial killings in the Philippines’ war on drugs remain a top human rights concern.

However, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a Palace media briefing that the report is contrary to what he “personally heard” during a discussion between Trump and President Rodrigo Duterte.

“I personally heard the discussion between President Trump and President Duterte when they were here in the Philippines during the ASEAN Summit and I think I heard words from President Trump praising President Duterte including the war on drugs,” Roque said.

Roque added that if he is not mistaken, “President Trump said he [Duterte] knows what he’s doing in the Philippines.”

Roque also said that the administration chooses to “go by the statements of Trump” since it came straight from the President’s mouth.

DAILY NEWS ROUND UP FOR 04/ 24 /18