Palace clarifies no need for EU envoys to leave Philippines

October 13, 2017

Malacanang clarified on Friday there is no need for the ambassadors from European Union to pack their things and leave the Philippines.

Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella made the clarification after President Rodrigo Duterte uttered expletives on Thursday and even told EU countries they could cut their diplomatic relations with the Philippines in the wake of the criticisms on his administration's bloody war on illegal drugs.

"There’s no need --- there’s no directive to do that," Abella said in a press briefing when asked if the European envoys should get out of the country now.

He noted that the EU delegation had issued a clarification that the seven-man team that recently visited the Philippines and warned of the Philippines' possible expulsion from the United Nations Human Rights Council and sanctions from EU, did not represent the European bloc.

Abella said Duterte reacted as "any leader would when national sovereignty is violated" as he also urged the media to make "correct reportage."

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, in the same briefing, said in their recent trip to Europe, the officials there were not on a "lecturing type" because of the alleged extrajudicil killings in the Philippines.

He said the European officials even asked them how they could help Manila. Celerina Monte/DMS