A Palace official has dismissed as "malicious" a report of an international rights watchdog about the alleged abuses under President Duterte's watch and accused the group of trying to meddle in the country's affairs.

In a statement Wednesday, Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar raised doubts on the credibility of Investigate PH, alleging the group was just “weaponizing” the rights issue to advance "a self-serving political agenda."

Investigate PH recently released a report alleging "the perpetration of human rights violations by state forces has become more institutionalized, orchestrated, and entrenched."  The group, in a report to the United Nations Commissioner for Human Rights (UNCHR), claimed that the Philippines' response to such abuses was “insufficient and even illusory.”

The group, composed of leaders from lawyers’ groups as well as political and church organizations, initiated a probe into alleged rights abuses during the Duterte administration early this year.

Andanar, however, cautioned the public against believing the report made by the "dubious" rights coalition.

"We strongly disagree with the malicious report by Investigate PH on the human rights situation, and the policies and programs of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and his administration," he said. "Investigate PH does not represent any credible global or regional institution, and its claims of any authority or credibility to report on the Philippines must be rejected,” he added.

Andanar also informed the group about the country's engagement with United Nations mechanisms on rights dialogue and cooperation. He likewise attested that the country has a working justice system to address any allegations of impunity. 

"We ask InvestigatePH and those concerned to follow the proper step of assisting parties to raise cases and concerns, if substantiated, within these institutions and processes," he said.

Andanar also asked the group to stop its "smear campaign” after supposedly trying to paint a dire picture of the country's human rights situation.  He said this was a clear attempt "to interfere in domestic politics and weigh in on issues ahead of national elections next year."