The Philippines is "fully prepared" to welcome United Nations Special Rapporteur (UNSR) Irene Khan for her 10-day visit in the country.
Undersecretary Paul Gutierrez, executive director of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS), said they are fully prepared for Khan's visit from Jan. 23 to Feb. 2.
Gutierrez said "the visit is a welcome opportunity to showcase the nation's commitment to openness, transparency, and its vibrant media community highlighted by everyone's right to freely express their opinion."
Khan is expected to visit Baguio, Cebu, and Tacloban and meet various government officials and personalities, including former Senator Leila de Lima.
"[I]n collaboration with various partner agencies, has diligently worked to accommodate Ms. Khan's requests for meetings with her chosen state institutions and government bodies," Gutierrez said.
Khan has expressed intention to meet with officials of the Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Supreme Court (SC), Nationals Security Cluster, and leaders in the Congress.
The special rapporteur will also engage with several critical agencies, including the Philippine Human Rights Committee (PHRC), Anti-Terrorism Council Program Management Center (ATC-PMC), National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), among others.
"As the primary coordinator for Ms. Khan's visit, PTFoMS has actively facilitated several meetings across different regions, including Baguio City, Cebu, and Tacloban, ensuring a broad representation of the Filipino's diverse voices," the Undersecretary said.
He added that a welcome dinner will be held for Khan. It would serve as a platform for open dialogue and exchange of ideas, reinforcing the Philippines' dedication to maintaining a dynamic and open environment for media and expression.
Meanwhile, Gutierrez clarified that Khan's visit to the country is not connected to the International Criminal Court (ICC) drug war investigation.
READ MORE: UN Rapporteur's visit to PH has nothing to do with ICC probe—Palace official