Panelo: Human rights will be 'in full bloom' under Duterte administration

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The camp of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday claimed that the statement of United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon on media killings was based on “incorrect” reports as it assured the public that human rights will be respected under his administration.

The UN chief on Thursday said he was “extremely disturbed” by the recent remarks of Duterte, who noted that some slain journalists had received bribes or were involved in dubious transactions. Ban said he “unequivocally condemns” Duterte’s “apparent endorsement” of extrajudicial killing, which he described as “a breach of fundamental rights and freedoms.”

Duterte spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Ban’s statement was based on the wrong perception that Duterte encourages the killing of journalists and lawless violence.

“It is unfortunate that the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon has issued a statement condemning what he perceives to be an endorsement by President-elect Rodrigo Duterte of extrajudicial killings,” Panelo said in a statement.

“Obviously the UN Secretary-General believed the incorrect news reports that gave rise to such wrong perception,” he added.

Panelo claimed that the Bill of Rights enshrined in the Constitution “shall be in full bloom” under Duterte’s presidency.

He reiterated that Duterte has not, cannot and would never endorse extrajudicial killings because they are against the law.

“He (Duterte) does not condone the killing of journalists nor any citizen for that matter, regardless of its purpose. As President he is bound by his constitutional duty to enforce the law, and under no circumstances will he deviate from it,” Panelo added.

Panelo said the “wrong perception” came about due to “incorrect” reporting of his remarks.

“Consequently, he chastises media persons who practice irresponsible journalism. The president-elect reiterates his fealty to the Constitution as well as his determination to suppress criminality in any form,” the incoming presidential spokesman said.

In past speeches and press conferences, Duterte has talked about killing corrupt police officers who he said were protecting the drug trade and has urged citizens to turn in drug suspects.

He said that if the suspects are armed and resist arrest, the public could shoot them dead. “I will (even) give you a medal,” he said at his victory party in Davao City on June 4.

Cayetano blames 'cultural disconnect'

The Duterte camp’s reaction to Ban’s statement was way more diplomatic that its reply to UN rapporteurs who had also criticized his controversial remarks.

Cristof Heyns, UN special rapporteur on summary executions and David Kaye, UN special rapporteur on freedom opinion and expression, said early this week that Duterte’s statement can incite violence and creates an impression that media killings are acceptable in certain circumstances.

Duterte, known for his frankness and tough talk, advised the UN rapporteurs to “go home and get some sleep.”

Duterte’s defeated runningmate Sen. Alan Cayetano suggested that the UN may not have understood the true meaning of the incoming president’s remarks because of “cultural disconnect.”

“What happened was 'he said and he said, he said, he said'. The UN will then be told, sir, Duterte said it’s okay to kill (journalists). But that’s not what he said,” the senator said in an interview last Friday. 

“You know it’s time for professional organizations, professional diplomats to step in and take away this disconnect. This is no longer miscommunication and misinformation. We’re jumping into conclusion,” he added.

Duterte’s incoming foreign secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. said Ban should have coursed his statement through government channels. He noted that the UN chief was reacting to a remark made by someone who has not yet assumed the presidency.

“It is my understanding that he should not have made these statements in response to an individual or private citizen's statements rather than a pronouncement of policy. He (Duterte) is still mayor of Davao City and not yet president, so every time he says something, it's not an official pronouncement,” Yasay told CNN Philippines last Friday.

“The secretary-general has spoken and has responded in an official capacity to a statement made by a person who is not yet president. He should be more circumspect in making statements like this,” he added.