Former CEO and Managing Director of Coca Cola International, Bæring Ólafsson.
MANILA -- Former chief executive officer and managing director of Coca Cola International, Icelander Bæring Ólafsson, took to Facebook on Tuesday his dismay over the Iceland government's resolution seeking a review of the Philippines’ campaign against illegal drugs.
The Icelander, who is based in the Philippines, said it is wrong for Iceland to pass the resolution of the United Nations Human Rights Council against the Philippines, a sovereign democratic country.
“The handling and fighting against drug cartels and criminal gangs inside of the Philippines is an internal domestic issue and a law enforcement issue by the Philippine government and there should be no interference from outside entities or countries,” he added.
Recently, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo claimed that President Rodrigo Duterte “can’t even understand why Iceland is making that posturing”.
Ólafsson shared the same concern, criticizing he UNHRC’s move.
“If this is the way forward for Human Rights council of the UN, then which country is next? China, USA, Mexico, Indonesia, Thailand, Brazil, France, Italy?” he added.
He also said the council should take note and understand the effects of the country's campaign against illegal drugs, saying Philippines’ economic growth has since been on a high note with Duterte’s leadership.
“There is full democracy and full freedom of speech and activities in all aspects of life in the Philippines and there is no Human Rights issue here at all. The only human rights violations here are the drug barons and criminal gangs that kill people at will and President Duterte has taken them on and has more than 80 percent of the population supporting him in doing so,” he said.
“I am not proud to be an Icelander here in the Philippines today. Personally, I apologize for this misstep of my country Iceland,” he added. (PNA)
