MANILA— A senator on Wednesday said that he was grateful that at least two state leaders raised the issue on human rights in bilateral meetings with President Rodrigo Duterte held during the recently-concluded Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit held in Manila.
Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern earlier confirmed that human rights, particularly extrajudicial killings, was brought up during their talks.
“We thank Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern of New Zealand, and the 270 civil society organizations and leaders worldwide for raising these urgent and vital issues at the ASEAN,” Senator Francis Pangilinan said in a press statement.
“The right to life, to due process and a fair trial, and to health are enshrined in our Constitution,” he added.
Pangilinan stressed that expressing concern for these rights is a reminder that all uphold the Constitution and respect the rule of law.
“These issues concern not only heads of state or the international community, but also the people they represent, including our kababayans (countrymen) abroad,” Pangilinan said.
“They concern investors and tourists, directly affecting the Philippines’ financial and economic health. They concern all of humanity,” he added.