Dela Rosa on latest UNHRC report: Don't dictate to us, respect our sovereignty

Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa said on Tuesday that the United Nations Human Rights Council should respect the country's sovereignty and not dictate on the Philippine government's anti-drug campaign.

The UNHRC released a report urging the Philippine government to replace the "exclusively punitive approach" in eradicating illegal drugs, noting that the measure should be in line with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

The UNHRC also expressed concern over reports of "grave human rights violations and the extremely high number of extrajudicial killings, particularly in the context of the government's campaigns against illegal drugs."

While Dela Rosa admitted that he had not yet read the full report, the senator reiterated that the country had a functioning justice system.

"Meron tayong sariling gobyerno sana 'wag na sila makialam sa atin. Wag na nila tayong diktahan kasi naman ano ba ang gusto nilang iimpose sa atin? Di naman tayo mga subjects nila na pwede nilang diktahan kung anong gusto nilang mangyari. Respetuhin nila ang ating kasarinlan," Dela Rosa said in a chance interview.

"Di naman tayo mga tao na uneducated, uncivilized...na diktahan nila kung anong gusto nila," he added.

Asked if the Philippine government should take this UNHRC report seriously, Dela Rosa said the Philippine government must "demand freedom" from the UN council.

"Please stop interfering with our internal affairs... Ang mga tao po namin ay happy sa nangyayari sa amin. Bakit po kayo mag-insist na diktahan kami kung ano ang dapat naming gawin," he said.

Before he was elected senator, Dela Rosa headed the Philippine National Police and led the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs.

In his speech during the UNHRC's 51st session last month, Justice Secretary Jose Crispin Remulla said that reforms were being put in place to "ensure the rule of law and the promotion and protection of the human rights of all its citizens."

Remulla said President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr wanted "criminal masterminds" to be apprehended, as he emphasized rehabilitation, prevention, education, and assistance to victims and their families in his government's anti-crime approach. — DVM, GMA Integrated News