DUTERTE OFFERS TO HOST HUMAN RIGHTS SUMMIT

Should the issue of drugs come up during his bilateral meeting with US President Donald Trump in Manila next week, President Duterte said he would suggest holding a “world summit” on human rights instead, with the Philippines as venue.

“Let’s have a summit (on) how we can protect human rights for all human race,” Mr. Duterte said shortly after meeting with the Filipino community in Vietnam where he attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting.

“But we should call all ... not zero in on me. Why only me? There are so many violations of human rights, including in the United States, including the continuous bombing in the Middle East killing civilians, even children (in) their schools,” he added.

The President noted that the United States, Russia and France were “responsible” for these bombings.

“So, mine is just a small list,” he added.

Mr. Duterte said all victims of human rights violations were welcome to attend the summit and air their grievances.

“What makes the death of people in the Philippines more important than the rest of the children in the world ( who) were massacred and killed?” he asked.

Zero accountability

Some western countries and human rights groups have strongly criticized Mr. Duterte’s anti-illegal drugs campaign that has killed more than 3,900 suspected drug users and peddlers who, police said, had resisted arrest and had shot it out with law enforcers.

Critics have disputed such claims, saying that executions were taking place with zero accountability.

In the same meeting with Filipinos in Vietnam, President Duterte reiterated his threat to slap UN human rights expert Agnes Callamard if she investigated him for the rising death toll in his war on drugs. He would ask her why she had made no comments on the victims of bombings and violence in the Middle East, the President added.

“What have you been doing all (this) time? Why are you so fascinated with drugs?” Duterte said he would ask Callamard.

The President also threatened to ban two American lawmakers from coming to Manila after they criticized Trump for inviting him to visit the United States.

“If you do not like me, I do not like you. We’re even,” Mr. Duterte said without naming the lawmakers.

Democratic Rep. James McGovern and Republican Rep. Randy Hultgren had called on Trump to highlight the human rights situation in the Philippines in his upcoming visit to Manila.

‘Too presumptuous’

“I will tell them, you are too presumptuous. What made you think that I am even planning or thinking about visiting your country?” Mr. Duterte said, referring to the two lawmakers.

Sen. Vicente Sotto III, meanwhile, called on President Duterte to bring up the mass shooting deaths in the United States, should American lawmakers pressure Trump to discuss drug-related killings in the Philippines.

“Mga pakialemero (Such meddlers!),” Sotto said of the lawmakers who had wanted Trump to “impress upon President Duterte the United States’ profound concern” over the thousands of drug-related killings in the Philippines.

“OK, then let’s take up with Trump the mass killings of American citizens and their issue on gun control,” the senator said.

A series of recent mass shooting incidents in the United States has revived debate on the controversial and divisive issue of stricter gun regulations across states.

Internal matter

The Palace earlier declined to comment on the US lawmakers’ request to Trump, saying it was an internal matter.

But Mr. Duterte said he himself would tell any leader, including Trump, to “lay off” should they bring up the human rights issues with him.

President Duterte bristles at any criticism of his administration’s centerpiece campaign against drugs, and has accused other countries and international groups of meddling in Philippine affairs when they express concern about the killings.