Surge in drug deaths? Andanar: HRW report a falsification of reality

By Prince Golez

Communications Secretary Martin Andanar has slammed as “gross distortions” of the situation in the country the Human Rights Watch (HRW) article entitled “Killings in Philippines up 50 percent during pandemic.”

“The article has weak methodological anchor, and severely falsifies realities in the country,” Andanar said in a statement Wednesday evening.

According to him, the government has prioritized the human rights and dignity of all Filipinos during the coronavirus pandemic by implementing socio-economic interventions to mitigate the effects of the crisis.

“The Philippines’ national response to the pandemic strongly enjoys the confidence and support of the Filipino people, as attested by the Gallup global survey,” he added.

Andanar also said the administration’s war on drugs takes “comprehensive community-based approaches,” with lawful enforcement operations throughout the pandemic.

He rejected sweeping allegations of state-sanctioned extrajudicial killings that have resurfaced and reiterated to investigate allegations and prosecute cases.

“Internal accountability mechanisms within our law enforcement agencies, such as the Philippine National Police, are in place to ensure that wrongful actions by law enforcers are addressed,” the chief of the Presidential Communications Operations Office said.

Andanar likewise encouraged the HRW and other global human rights watchdogs to “uphold the highest level of integrity and credibility” and to “avoid the use of unqualified and unverified data and conclusions derived from flawed methodologies and drawn with ideological blinders.”

The secretary assured that the administration remains to be receptive and willing to engage with individuals, groups, and organizations on matters and issues, especially on human rights.

“We remain in cognizance of our international and humanitarian obligations as we continue to promote all Filipinos’ inherent freedoms and human rights throughout our administration,” he concluded.

Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)