Palace won’t comment on US lawmakers’ letter to Trump vs Duterte but reiterates adherence to rule of law

November 9, 2017

Malacanang said on Thursday it would not comment on the public letter made by two United States congressmen urging President Donald Trump to raise the human rights issues against President Rodrigo Duterte during their meeting in Manila next week.

"The Palace will not comment on an internal US government matter," Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement.

He said Duterte and Trump have warm rapport, and can have candid and productive discussions on matters of shared interest.

Both governments are working for a bilateral meeting between the two leaders at the sidelines of the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit and Related Summits in Manila next week.

Duterte and Trump will have their first personal interaction in Vienman where they are attending the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders' Meeting.

Congressmen Randy Hultgren and James  McGovern, co-chairs of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission have asked Trump in an open letter to tell Duterte on America's “profound concern” over the alleged extrajudicial killings of drug suspects in the Philippines.

While Trump is expected to reaffirm US support for the Philippines, the two lawmakers have said that their leader should also reaffirm his government's commitments to fundamental human rights, including due process and the rule of law.

Roque reiterated the Duterte administration's adherence to the rule of law, saying it "remains as firm as ever, as is our commitment to the protection of human rights."

He said the government is investigating allegations of so-called extra-judicial killings, including homicide cases with drug-related motives.

"Ongoing investigations include the conduct of public congressional hearings. All these are undertaken precisely to ensure that due process and the rule of law prevails despite the Philippines' significant drug problem," Roque said.

Duterte, in a press conference on Wednesday before leaving for Vietnam, said that if Trump would raise the human rights issue during their meeting, he would tell him to "lay off."

He has said that the Philippines is a sovereign state and he would do what he thinks is best for his country. Celerina Monte/DMS