MANILA – Palace denied reports that President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the suspension of loans with countries which supported the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) investigation into the “war on drugs” in the country.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Duterte did not issue such an order, contrary to a report that the Office of the President signed the suspension order on Aug. 27.
According to the report, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea signed the “confidential memorandum” cancelling “all new talks and deals for foreign loans and grants from the 18 countries.”
“The President has not issued any memorandum suspending loans and negotiations involving 18 countries that voted in favor of the Iceland resolution,” Panelo said.
The UNHRC adopted the Iceland resolution last July for an international investigation into the spate of killings and human rights violations in the country due to Duterte’s drug war.
Eighteen countries voted for the approval of the resolution during the 41st session of UNHRC in Geneva. Fourteen opposed it and 15 countries abstained.
The countries which voted to adopt the Iceland-led resolution were Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Fiji, Iceland, Italy, Mexico, Peru, Slovakia, Spain, Ukraine, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and Uruguay./PN
