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BY MAE SINGUAY
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Thursday, March 23, 2017
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BACOLOD City – Due to its alleged human rights violations, the Philippine government may lose millions of dollars’ worth of foreign aid, according to Department of the Interior and Local Government secretary Ismael Sueno.
Sueno also pointed to the video message of Vice President Leni Robredo during a United Nations side event as one of the reasons that the Philippines is being sanctioned by the United States and the European Union.
The US might not release the US$434-million Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) fund as sanction for alleged human rights violations, Sueno told a news conference after the opening of an Association of Southeast Asian Nations meeting here.
The Duterte administration was accused of violating human rights amid the deaths of illegal drug suspects as a result of its antidrug campaign.
Citing “research,” Sueno said they found out there is a “threat” to cancel the MCC grant.
The US put up the grant to promote economic growth and reduce poverty around the world, but only countries that “demonstrate a commitment to just and democratic governance, investments in its people, and economic freedom” can qualify.
The first US$434-million funding started in May 2011 and ended in May 2016. The second funding of similar amount stands to last through the entire Duterte administration.
Accusations of human rights violations might also make the Philippines lose its 27 trade agreements with the EU, Sueno said.
A condition for these agreements is adherence to human rights. As a result, tariffs — or taxes — may be imposed on Philippine products being sold to EU-member countries, which will “make our farmers suffer,” said Sueno.
The Interior secretary also said some quarters are pressuring the government to free Sen. Leila de Lima, a staunch critic of President Rodrigo Duterte and former chief of the Commission on Human Rights.
Robredo, on the other hand, alleged in a video released online on March 13 that targets of police antidrug operations are beaten if they ask for a search warrant or their relatives are taken as collateral if they go into hiding.
All these — including the impeachment complaint against the President — are no coincidence, according to Sueno. The secretary assumes these are all “planned … kasi sabay-sabay lumabas lahat.”
And because of these, “we stand to lose many things,” he said. (With a report from ABS-CBN News/PN)
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