Palace on China’s praise for Duterte: That should be the stand of all states

Malacañang on Tuesday welcomed China's statement defending President Rodrigo Duterte's efforts to curb the drug menace in the country after the United Nations human rights chief said the firebrand leader needed a psychiatric examination.

"That basically should be the correct stand of all states. Tama po iyong naging katugunan ng Tsina at ito po ay hindi lamang dahil kaibigan natin ang Tsina, because that is really the objectives of the United Nations," presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said at a press briefing when asked if the Chinese Foreign Ministry's remarks were made out of China's friendship with the Philippines.

Roque said UN officials "cannot deal with elected leaders of member nations" in a manner that UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al-Hussein did, whose statement came after the Department of Justice filed a petition in court

that accuses a Filipina special rapporteur of terrorism and alleged membership in the communist guerilla movement.

"So all officials of the United Nations must in fact discharge their functions towards realizing the avowed goals of the UN system and should not resort to abusing and disrespecting elected heads of states of UN member states," the Palace official said.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said on Monday that "anyone without bias" can see that Duterte has made "positive efforts" since assuming office in June 2016 to combat drug-related crimes and terrorism, develop the national economy, and improve people's livelihood.

Lu said the “achievements made” by the Duterte administration “on these fronts have won great approval and extensive support among the Philippine people.”

He also reminded the international community to respect the sovereignty of the Philippines and view the outcomes of the Philippines' fight against drugs and terrorism in a "comprehensive, unbiased and objective way.”

Ties with China have warmed under Duterte, who has put aside maritime disputes with Beijing, looking to it to play a key role in building and funding urgently needed infrastructure. —NB, GMA News