The Malacanang has hit back at the United Nations human rights commissioner for his allegedly insulting remarks against President Rodrigo Duterte, The Manila Times Online reported on Sunday.
Palace spokesman Harry Roque siad that Zaeid Ra’ad al-Hussein’s remark that Duterte should undergo “psychiatric evaluation” was affront to the Philippines.
“I reiterate that the language used by the high commissioner is uncalled for. I’m very tempted to respond in similar language, but I have opted to restrain myself, opting not to respond in the same ad hominem used by the UN high commissioner,” said Roque.
Zaeid said on Friday that it was disgraceful that a president should use foul language against UN special rapporteur Agnes Callamard who is highly respected.
By issuing such very harsh language against President Duterte, Roque said Zaeid does not only offend the Filipino people but also insult all countries that have democratically elected their heads of state.
“Perhaps, the UN high commissioner’s language is because of the fact that they do not have democracy in his home state of Jordan. Jordan’s leader is not elected unlike our president and so my message to the high commissioner is, we respect our president in this country because we gave him a democratic mandate to lead,” said Roque.
Malacanang insisted on Friday that the inclusion of UN special rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples Victoria Tauli-Corpuz in the Justice Department’s list of alleged terrorists was grounded.
Rogue said Corpuz was included in the terrorist list because of intelligence information that she is connected with the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People’s Army.
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