The Philippine government, which is recently hounded by concerns on killings and abuses, has reaffirmed its commitment before the United Nations (UN) to implement mechanisms strengthening human rights in the country.
During a diplomatic briefing in Geneva on Monday, two envoys vowed to effectively implement in the Philippines the UN Joint Program (UNJP), a three-year program of in-country delivery of technical assistance and capacity-building concerning human rights.
The Department Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the program covers six areas, composed of domestic investigative and accountability mechanisms, data gathering on alleged police violations, civic space and engagement with civil society, national mechanism for reporting and follow-up, human rights-based approach to drug control, and human rights-based approach to counter-terrorism.
The diplomats were Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Geneva Evan P. Garcia; and United Nations Resident Coordinator in the Philippines Gustavo González.
According to DFA, Garcia noted that the Philippine government's participation in the program "attests to the country's 'longstanding tradition of forging partnerships and openness to international scrutiny,' as well as 'a vote of confidence in the reformed UN system and our bilateral partners, and in our capacity to work together to effect concrete, meaningful, and durable change on the ground to advance the cause of human rights.'"
This came although the recent administration of President Duterte consistently hit international investigators and human rights advocates for expressing concern over the country's deadly war on drugs.
Garcia, the DFA added, also expressed the country's "strong political commitment at the highest level" to uphold its human rights obligations, including through the UNJP.
González, meanwhile, described the UNJP as a groundbreaking initiative that allows the UN, through the reformed UN Resident Coordinator system, to be one of the solutions to issues faced by a member country.
Around 30 representatives from various diplomatic missions in Geneva and the United Nations attended the briefing.