Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque sees nothing wrong in the government’s use of violence in fighting illegal drugs and other crimes as long as there is “necessity and proportionality.”
In a radio interview yesterday, Roque said he believes that President Duterte is doing what he called “correct human rights standards.”
“Hindi naman ipinagbabawal ang paggamit ng dahas. Kinakailangan lang merong necessity at merong proportionality,” Roque said, adding that he shares the same views with the President when it comes to human rights.
Furthermore, the Palace spokesperson defended the President’s record not just as a mere lawyer but as a former fiscal who prosecuted several murder cases.
“Ang Presidente naman, hindi lang siya abogado, siya ay naging fiscal nang halos tatlong taon, at napakarami rin niyang kasong murder na na-prosecute,” said Roque, who was also recently named as presidential adviser on human rights issues.
Roque’s appointment as spokesperson and adviser came at a time when various local and international human rights advocacy groups have stepped up their criticisms on alleged extra judicial killings related to the Duterte administration’s war on drugs.
Over the weekend, experts from the United Nations Human Rights Council led by Special Rapporteur Agnes Callamard called on the Philippine government to probe “new cases of killings involving men, women, and children.” (Roy C. Mabasa)
