"A respecter of human rights." That was how Malacañang defended President Rodrigo Duterte after a United Nations (UN) high commissioner for human rights said "he lacked understanding of human rights institutions."
"President Duterte is a respecter of human rights, but he has also been firm in saying that human rights cannot be used as an excuse to let the spread of drugs in the country run rampant," presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a statement on Wednesday.
According to Abella, Duterte "knows the limits of the power and authority of the presidency as a lawyer and former prosecutor."
"I know what is legal and what is not. My adherence to due process and the rule of law is uncompromising," the Palace official quoted Duterte's inaugural remarks.
Abella also said that the administration did not promote extrajudicial killings, adding that no formal complaints had been filed against Duterte for his alleged human right violation.
Duterte was among those singled out on Tuesday by UN high commissioner Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein for his speaking against human rights institutions and investigations.
Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer
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