Robredo clip ‘has no effect’ on relations
The Philippines’ relations with its allies in the international community remain “very good” despite recent remarks by Vice President Leni Robredo calling out the Duterte administration’s war on illegal drugs.
“Our relations with all countries are still very good. In fact, I haven’t seen any change in that,” acting Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said in a press conference in Bangkok, Thailand.
Robredo, in a video message that was played at a side event of a United Nations conference last March 16, said Filipinos were becoming “hopeless and helpless” since President Rodrigo Duterte launched the war on illegal drugs in July last year.
The Vice President claimed that the drug-related deaths are “summary executions” that need international scrutiny. Reports said more than 7,000 individuals have been killed in the fight against narcotics trade. An impeachment complaint has been filed against the Vice President, as one response to the video.
Hard sell
Contradicting Manalo, Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo, who also joined the briefing, believed that Robredo’s pronouncement regarding the extrajudicial killings of suspected drug personalities makes it difficult to “sell the Philippines” to other countries.
She recounted that whenever she goes out of the country, she is always asked if summary executions in the country are widespread. She added that she could not do anything but respond by saying, “It’s safe in the Philippines and I would like you to go to the Philippines and see for yourself.”
While she has “great respect” for the Vice President, Teo said the country’s second highest official should tone down so as not to affect the number of tourist arrivals in the Philippines.
“I have a great respect for VP Leni. The Philippines is now becoming a destination, alternate destination in Asia and the Europe. But with such a statement, it’s really hard to sell the Philippines,” Teo said.
“So I hope, we could, if possible – it’s not only referred to Leni, VP Leni, but also to the media – please somehow tone down (statements on) extrajudicial killing,” she added.