Taylor cuts Manila from Asian tour

Grammy Award-winning singersongwriter James Taylor has cancelled the Manila leg of his Asian-Pacific tour on February 25 in protest at the alleged extrajudicial killings in President Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war.

Taylor was scheduled to perform at the Mall of Asia Arena. But posting on Twitter and his Facebook page on Wednesday, the 68-year old hitmaker said: “I don’t think of my music as being particularly political but sometimes one is called upon to make a political stand.”

“For a sovereign nation to prosecute and punish, under the law, those responsible for the illegal trade in drugs is, of course, understandable, even commendable,” he said, calling drug dependence a “scourge” and a “worldwide problem”.

“But recent reports from the Philippines of summary executions of suspected offenders without trial or judicial process are deeply concerning and unacceptable to anyone who loves the rule of law.”

Police or suspected vigilantes have killed more than 5,300 people since July, but the government rejects the allegations of extrajudicial executions and insists those killed by police had resisted arrest and fought police.

“I offer my heartfelt apologies for any inconvenience or disappointment this may cause my Filipino friends but I must now announce that I will not be performing in Manila this February. All tickets sold will, of course, be fully refunded. I am grateful to my promoter, Renen de Guia, for his patience and understanding.

He said his decision “will, in no way, affect my plans to perform as announced in Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand.”

Ovation Productions’ Renen de Guia declined to comment on the cancellation, but the company posted Taylor’s message on their Facebook page the same day.

Taylor is known for his songs “Fire and Rain,” “Handy Man,” “How Sweet It is,” “Your Smiling Face,” “You’ve Got A Friend,” among many others.

He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2000. (With AFP)