Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar (File photo)
MANILA – Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar on Wednesday cried foul over the “malicious” report by a global coalition on the human rights situation in the Philippines.
In a statement, Andanar expressed dismay that Investigate PH, an international coalition of civic groups, is claiming that the human rights situation in the Philippines has gotten worse.
Investigate PH, in its report, accused the state forces of committing grave violations of human rights and the government’s counterinsurgency task force of orchestrating “political repression and militarizing governance.”
The global coalition also called on the United Nations (UN) and the International Criminal Court to look into the supposed human rights abuses in the Philippines.
Andanar debunked the allegations, saying “the country has functioning accountability mechanisms and rule of law and its authorities are competent to address allegations of impunity within national administrative and legal institutions and processes.”
“We strongly disagree with the malicious report by Investigate PH on the human rights situation, and the policies and programs of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and his administration,” he said.
Andanar also took a jab at Investigate PH which he said does not represent “any credible global or regional institution.”
He said the international coalition’s claims with regard to the current human rights situation in the Philippines must be rejected.
“It is a group of parties that is weaponizing human rights against the Philippines, driven by a self-serving political agenda,” Andanar said, referring to Investigate PH. “We call on the public to guard against giving credence to a ‘report’ by a group whose character and agenda is dubious.”
Dirty politics
Andanar was also convinced that the report was released to taint the administration’s reputation and detract Filipinos ahead of the 2022 national and local elections.
He then called on the public not to fall prey to “dirty politics”.
“It is easy to see Investigate PH’s agenda to paint a dire picture of the human rights situation in the country, as an attempt to interfere in domestic politics and weigh in on issues ahead of national elections next year,” Andanar said.
He said Investigate PH should stop the “smear” campaign and instead promote a “more reasoned” political discourse in the Philippines that “serves the Filipino people, and not their vested interest.”
Andanar also told the parties behind Investigate PH that the Philippines is “engaging sincerely in all UN mechanisms on human rights dialogue and cooperation.”
“We ask Investigate PH and those concerned to follow the proper step of assisting parties to raise cases and concerns, if substantiated, within these institutions and processes,” he said. (PNA)
In a statement, Andanar expressed dismay that Investigate PH, an international coalition of civic groups, is claiming that the human rights situation in the Philippines has gotten worse.
Investigate PH, in its report, accused the state forces of committing grave violations of human rights and the government’s counterinsurgency task force of orchestrating “political repression and militarizing governance.”
The global coalition also called on the United Nations (UN) and the International Criminal Court to look into the supposed human rights abuses in the Philippines.
Andanar debunked the allegations, saying “the country has functioning accountability mechanisms and rule of law and its authorities are competent to address allegations of impunity within national administrative and legal institutions and processes.”
“We strongly disagree with the malicious report by Investigate PH on the human rights situation, and the policies and programs of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and his administration,” he said.
Andanar also took a jab at Investigate PH which he said does not represent “any credible global or regional institution.”
He said the international coalition’s claims with regard to the current human rights situation in the Philippines must be rejected.
“It is a group of parties that is weaponizing human rights against the Philippines, driven by a self-serving political agenda,” Andanar said, referring to Investigate PH. “We call on the public to guard against giving credence to a ‘report’ by a group whose character and agenda is dubious.”
Dirty politics
Andanar was also convinced that the report was released to taint the administration’s reputation and detract Filipinos ahead of the 2022 national and local elections.
He then called on the public not to fall prey to “dirty politics”.
“It is easy to see Investigate PH’s agenda to paint a dire picture of the human rights situation in the country, as an attempt to interfere in domestic politics and weigh in on issues ahead of national elections next year,” Andanar said.
He said Investigate PH should stop the “smear” campaign and instead promote a “more reasoned” political discourse in the Philippines that “serves the Filipino people, and not their vested interest.”
Andanar also told the parties behind Investigate PH that the Philippines is “engaging sincerely in all UN mechanisms on human rights dialogue and cooperation.”
“We ask Investigate PH and those concerned to follow the proper step of assisting parties to raise cases and concerns, if substantiated, within these institutions and processes,” he said. (PNA)
