The European Union Parliament went overboard with its recent “unwarranted and uncalled for actions” against the Philippine government, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter S. Cayetano said.
This came after EU lawmakers adopted a resolution urging the administration to end extrajudicial killings in its anti-drug campaign, release detained Senator Leila De Lima, and remove human rights defenders from its list of terrorists.
According to Cayetano, the resolution “crossed a red line” and is “based on biased, incomplete and even wrong information.”
“It does not reflect the true situation on the ground,” Cayetano said.
He added that the body should know that giving such unsolicited recommendations is similar to meddling with the affairs of the country.
“In case the members of the European Parliament are not aware of it, may we remind them that their recommended actions already constitute interference in the affairs of a sovereign state,” Cayetano said.
“The Philippines expects all members of the international community to respect the country’s prerogative to determine national priorities and policies that are responsive to the needs of its people,” he added.
Cayetano also accused the EU lawmakers of “politicizing and weaponizing human rights to undermine the legitimately installed government of President Duterte” by “allowing themselves to be influenced and manipulated by certain interest groups in the Philippines and abroad.”
(DAILY NEWS ROUND UP FOR 04/ 20 /18)