Sen. Robin slams ‘baseless’ US bill blocking PNP aid over alleged HR abuse

SEN. Robin Padilla on Tuesday branded as “no basis” a United States measure blocking aid to the Philippine National Police (PNP) due to alleged human rights (HR) violations.

In a news statement, the senator stressed he has personally witnessed how the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have upheld human rights.

“I have witnessed how the AFP and PNP respect human rights. I will not lie, my beloved fellow Filipinos. If I see human rights violations by the PNP or AFP or any branch of government, I will call them out,” he said in an interview on SMNI network.

Padilla added: “I have worked for more than a year in the AFP. I have seen for myself how our men and women in uniform respect human rights.”

The senator was reacting to reports that US Rep. Susan Wild (Pennsylvania) had introduced an amendment to the US National Defense Authorization Act for 2023 where aid to the PNP will be blocked until it complies with “human rights requirements.”

Padilla recalled, however, that the US had earlier expressed support for the Philippines anew during the US Embassy’s celebration of Independence Day, which he attended.

At the same time, the lawmaker likewise called out those behind such politicking, noting the incident is very sad. “Ang hinihiling lang namin sa inyo, hindi ito ang oras na maging masyado tayong mapulitika. Wala nang sinisigaw ang ating bagong Pangulo kundi unity tayo, magkaisa na tayo. Ito dinadamay na naman ninyo ang US, dinadamay na naman ninyo ang Europe. Pambihira [My appeal to you is that now is not the time for politicking. Our new President has called for unity, let us unite. And do not drag the United States and Europe into your politicking],” he said.

Moreover, Padilla asked: “Isn’t it that the voice of the people is the voice of God? Haven’t we seen the overwhelming support for former President Duterte and new President Marcos? What else is the international community supposed to hear?”

He warned, “If we don’t unite now, we will end up the losers,” stressing that “this is the time to unite despite differences in our beliefs, for the sake of our country and our people.”

The senator stressed: “If we don’t unite now, we will end up the losers. This is the time to unite despite differences in our beliefs, for the sake of our country and our people.”