MANILA – After a draft resolution calling for United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) investigation into the war on drugs in the country, President Rodrigo Duterte is mulling to cut the Philippines’ diplomatic ties with Iceland.
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo on Monday said Duterte was “seriously considering” the move suggested by Sen. Imee Marcos.
“Sabi (ni Duterte) sa akin eh, ‘Siya nga pala. I want to vent my ire on Iceland,’” Panelo said. “Tell the public I’m considering seriously cutting diplomatic ties with Iceland.”
Iceland pushed the resolution calling for an investigation into the thousands of killings blamed on Duterte’s war on drugs. The resolution was adopted by the UNHRC last week.
Eighteen countries were in favor, 14 against (including China), with 15 abstentions (including Japan) at the 47-member forum in Geneva, Switzerland.
Following the UNHRC’s adoption of the resolution, Duterte berated Iceland in his speech last week as the latter do not have a full grasp of the social, economic and political problems of the Philippines.
“Hindi maintindihan nitong mga…na may problema tayo,” Duterte said “The distribution of drugs, the contamination continues today. At hindi na natin mahabol.”
The Philippines and Iceland started its diplomatic ties in February 1999 and have been partners in the areas of maritime, mining, renewable energy, medical services, fisheries, and geothermal energy./PN
