Bello: Duterte determined to uphold dissenters’ rights

MANILA, Philippines – President Duterte is determined to uphold the human rights of political dissenters even as he continues to seek a negotiated political settlement with rebel forces.

Government peace panel chairman Silvestre Bello III issued the statement yesterday in reaction to the list of alleged violations of the provisions of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) that the human rights group Karapatan submitted before the opening of the 3rd round of peace talks in Rome, Italy.

Bello said as far as he is concerned, there have been no acts committed by the President that would constitute violation of CARHRIHL, which supplemental guidelines were also signed yesterday.

“The track record of President Duterte will speak for itself. He has always upheld the rights of political dissenters and respected their human rights,” Bello said.

“Some may find his unconventional approach in addressing peace and order issues in the country but he has always maintained high respect for political dissent,” he added, referring to Duterte.

The concurrent labor secretary gave assurance that the government would look into the cases of human rights violations submitted by the National Democratic Front and allied rights organizations.

He said the signing of the supplemental agreement put into motion the operation of the joint monitoring committee.