American delegation of lawmakers hopes Marcos’ administration would look into alleged human rights violation under former admin

THE US delegation of lawmakers on Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022, expressed hope that the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. would look into the alleged human rights violations during the term of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

The delegation, led by Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey met with Marcos on Friday, Aug.19.

Among the issues discussed were human rights concerns under the former administration, transition to renewable energy and efforts to address the looming climate crisis, Markey said in a statement.

“I am pleased to lead the first US congressional delegation to meet with President Marcos Jr. and look forward to the promise of a renewed partnership with the newly elected government,” he said.

“I expressed to President Marcos my hope that he will turn the page on the human rights abuses of the previous government,” he added.

Markey reiterated the US’ commitment to remain a steadfast treaty ally of the Philippines and to maintain the “unmatched” people-to-people ties.

The delegation also visited former senator Leila de Lima who has been detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame over drug charges since 2017.

Charges against her which were based on the claims of several personalities including self-confessed drug lord Kerwin Espinosa, convicted drug lord at the New Bilibid Prison and former government personnel, came after she sought investigation over the alleged human rights in the country amid Duterte’s war on drugs.

Thousands of alleged drug suspects were killed during the conduct of police operations amid the drug war.

Earlier, Pennsylvania Rep. Susan Wild introduced an amendment to the US National Defense Authorization Act proposing that no funds should be appropriated for the provision of assistance to the PNP until it acts on human rights abuses committed by its members.