Marcos committed to drug war — Swedish envoy
‘The UN and the government need to work together in addressing some concerns on the human rights and he is very much interested in ensuring a consultation for the nomination of the new Commission of Human Rights,’ he disclosed.
President-elect Bongbong Marcos has expressed a “strong commitment” to continue President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs “within the framework of the law” and “with respect for human rights,” Swedish Ambassador Annika Thunborg told reporters on Friday.
Thunborg, along with three other diplomats, paid a courtesy call to Marcos at his headquarters in Mandaluyong City and tackled the rule of law, human rights, and Duterte’s anti-narcotics drive.
“We also touched upon political affairs and importance and the strong commitment that has been expressed by the President-elect to conduct the war on drugs within the framework of the law and with respect for human rights and focus on rehabilitation and socio-economic development,” Thunborg said in a press briefing.
She also disclosed that she discussed with Marcos the essence of collaboration among nations based on “international law” and “transnational collaboration to handle challenges such as the global drug trade, transnational crime, and the pandemic.”
Duterte, the outgoing Philippine leader, has asked Marcos to continue his campaign against illegal drugs but urged him to “do it his own way.”
Prior to the 9 May elections, Marcos said drug users must be considered “patients” rather than “criminals.” Marcos eyes building more rehabilitation centers and focusing on capturing big-time drug lords.
Meanwhile, United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator in the Philippines Gustavo Gonzalez said Marcos vowed that his government would ensure a “high-level of accountability” for human rights issues.
“First of all, we reiterate the support of the United Nations to all the efforts of the Philippines on the human rights agenda. We suggest that the gains that we have as part of the UN joint program, have to be preserved and we need to continue enhancing accountability in terms of human rights,” Gonzales told the media following his meeting with Marcos.
The regime of Marcos’s father, the late president Ferdinand Marcos Sr., is historically remembered for its record of thousands of human rights abuses.
Gonzalez also urged Marcos to collaborate with the UN in addressing the human rights issues in the country.
“The UN and the government need to work together in addressing some concerns on the human rights and he is very much interested in ensuring a consultation for the nomination of the new Commission of Human Rights,” he disclosed.
“This is the topic that he immediately raised and he mentioned the importance of ensuring a high level of accountability in terms of human rights we also refer to the October session of the Human Rights Council where the new administration will be ready for a successful session.”
Gonzales added that he also discussed with Marcos the preparation for the UN General Assembly in September 2022.
“We will have also the Transforming Education Summit. It’s an opportunity to discuss the impact of the Covid-19 on the education system,” he said.
“This UN General Assembly meeting will be the first time that the president-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will be in front of an important number of heads of state. So, this is a great — and I think — historic opportunity for the President and for the Philippines to share the new vision, the new challenges, but at the same time, the new opportunities,” he explained.
Others who visited Marcos on Friday were Ambassador Charles Brown of the Holy See, Ambassador William Carlos of Ireland, and Ambassador Alain Gaschen of the Swiss Confederation.