PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte found an unlikely ally from a Chinese top official who defended the former’s continuing war on drugs, after United Nations Human rights chief Zeid Ra’ad Al-Hussein issued a statement Duterte needed a psychiatric examination.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque welcomed Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang’s praise of Duterte after comments from the UN rights chief calling his behavior “disgraceful” and questioning the President’s mental stability.
“That basically should be the correct stand of all states. This is not because we have ties with China but because that is really the objective of the United Nations,” Roque said.
Roque said UN officials “cannot deal with elected leaders of member nations” in a manner that UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al-Hussein did.
Duterte’s drug war, along with his efforts to develop the Philippines’ economy, fight terrorism and improve people’s livelihoods have all “effectively protected and promoted the Philippine people’s fundamental rights to security and development,” Lu said.
“The achievements made by the Philippine government led by President Duterte on these fronts have won great approval and extensive support among the Philippine people,” he added.
The exchange of words between Duterte and UN chief was triggered by the President’s remark to feed to crocodiles UN rapporteurs.
Earlier, Roque said he doubted the President would actually do it.
“It’s an appropriate response. I don’t think he’s in a position to do it. Come on,” Roque said.
Roque gave assurances that despite the exchange of barbs between Duterte and Zeid, UN special rapporteurs were still welcome to visit and investigate the Philppines as long as they would be neutral.
The President’s spokesman reiterated Zeid’s remark was uncalled for and was an affront to the country’s sovereignty.
“I think the matter of the statement by the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights is being treated very seriously. It’s being treated as a diplomatic affront. It’s wholly unacceptable,” Roque said.
