PHL reaffirms commitment to UN Charter despite criticisms on killings

The Philippines reaffirmed its commitment to the United Nations (UN) Charter, even as some policies of the Duterte administration faced scrutiny from the UN Human Rights Council.

"We, in the Philippines, reaffirm commitment to the United Nations' founding principles and of course, its continuing and growing relevance and importance in a world that is marked by rapid shifts, changes and increasingly complex challenges," Enrique Manalo, the Undersecretary for Policy at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), said.

It was reported on State of the Nation with Jessica Soho, that the Philippines has committed to maintain world peace, protect human rights, ensure opportunities for education and promote good health for its citizens.

"The Philippines has been...engaging and debating with its fellow member states, contributing to the work of the organization, and influencing the course of its decisions," UN resident coordinator Ola Almgren said.

The Philippines is one of the founding members of the UN and one of the signatories of the UN Charter on October 24, 1946, along with 49 other countries.

The country's reaffirmation of its commitment comes at a time when the UN,  through its Human Rights Council, adopted a resolution in July to write a report about the human rights abuses brought about by the thousands of killings that took place during the current administration's "war on drugs."

Manalo said he doesn't think that the resolution "was really very helpful."

"But of course, that’s another issue. All I want to say is that the Philippines is very much an active participant in the Human Rights Council. We have contributed very much to human rights," Manalo said.

Manalo also stressed the country's commitment in engaging to practices that highlighted gender equality such as additional women deployment in the UN peacekeeping missions.

Almgren applauded the Philippines’ contribution to the United Nations including the Philippines efforts in the global migration pact.

But while the relationship between the UN and the Philippines remain strong, the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) is currently in the process of conducting a review on the human rights situation in the Philippines.

Earlier this year, the UNHRC adopted a resolution led by Iceland that would prompt the UN body to conduct a thorough review of the human rights situation in the Philippines.

This includes a review on the drug war killings under the administration of President Duterte.

But the DFA maintains, the Philippines is and will continue to be an active participant in the human rights council and that the UN and the Philippines will continue to champion a good and strong relationship.

Manalo added that, “We don’t think that the resolution was really very helpful but of course that’s another issue all I want to say is that the Philippines is very much an active participant in the human rights council, we have contributed very much to human rights we’re signatory to UN numerous treaties.”

The UN said that while some members may disagree on certain issues, they remain steadfast that member countries will continue to move forward towards “common objectives.”

“The United Nations brings together 193 members as I said in engagements and in debate they don’t always agree but what’s important is that they come together and they talk and hopefully they find a way to move forward towards common objectives and towards what we hope as reflected in the UN charter,”  says Almgren.

The United Nations day marks the 74th year that the UN Charter entered into force with the world organization’s pledge to achieve lasting world peace.

The Philippines was one of the founding members of the UN being one of the first countries to sign the UN Declaration in 1942.

This Declaration is the basis of the UN Charter, which 49 other countries including the Philippines signed in 1945.

The report by the UN Human Rights Council is set to be published next year, according to Almgren. — with Angelica Yang/LDF, GMA News