(Eagle News) — Malacanang has dismissed the United Nations’ human rights spokesperson’s rebuke of President Rodrigo Duterte over his remark against UN special rapporteur Agnes Callamard.
In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said that Rupert Colville should “do well not to judge the colorful language the President is known for, but by what he stands for and the values he holds dear” instead.
“We need to point [out] that the President’s remarks on Callamard were addressed to a Filipino audience who are used to the Chief Executive’s unorthodox rhetoric,” he said, referring to Duterte’s threat he would “slap” the “partial” Callamard if she investigated alleged extrajudicial killings in the country.
Duterte said this before the Filipino community on Nov. 9 in Da Nang, Vietnam, where he attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders’ Meeting.
“The way (Callamard) conducted herself does not befit her office,” Roque said.
“Lest we forget, she came unannounced to the country in May this year even while the terms of her official visit were still being finalized,” he added.
Colville denounced what he said was the act of disrespect made against Callamard in an interview with reporters in Geneva on Tuesday.
“We condemn… this treatment….and the disrespect it shows to the Human Rights Council that appointed her,” he said.