Philippines: Duterte ‘does not endorse’ extrajudicial killings – spokesman
Philippine president-elect Rodrigo Duterte.
11th June 2016
A SPOKESMAN for the Philippine’s president-elect Rodrigo Duterte said on Saturday that contrary to media reports, the tough-talking former mayor of Davao City does not endorse extrajudicial killings.
This follows the worldwide outcry against Duterte’s alleged remarks, when he was quoted last week as saying that some of the journalists who were killed in the country probably deserved their fate because they were corrupt.
Salvador Panelo, the incoming presidential spokesman, claimed that Duterte’s statement on media killings was based on “incorrect news reports”.
“The President-elect has not endorsed – can not – and will never endorse extrajudicial killings, they being contrary to law,” he said.
“He does not condone the killing of journalists nor any citizen for that matter, regardless of its purpose.”
He added that Duterte was merely chastising those involved in “irresponsible journalism”.
Dueterte’s remarks drew criticism not only from organizations such as the National Union of Journalists, but also the United Nations (UN).
On Wednesday, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon called out Duterte for his “apparent endorsement” of extrajudicial killings.
In his speech at the UN Correspondents Association (UNCA) Directory Reception in New York, Ban said he was “extremely disturbed” by Duterte’s comments.
“I unequivocally condemn his apparent endorsement of extrajudicial killing, which is illegal and a breach of fundamental rights and freedoms. Such comments are of particular concern in light of ongoing impunity for serious cases of violence against journalists in the Philippines,” he said.
Referring to Ban’s criticism, Panelo said that it was “unfortunate” that Ban had believed the inaccurate news reports that led to the misunderstanding.
Previously, Duterte was mayor of Davao City for seven terms, where vigilante “death squads” in the city roamed freely without much interference from authorities. Human rights organizations claim such groups killed more than 1,000 people.
Since being elected as president, he has courted controversy for his oft-controversial remarks, such as encouraging members of the public to shoot and kill drug dealers who resist arrest and fight back.
He is set to be officially sworn in as president on June 30.
