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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider UN rapporteur free to hold dialogue with personalities during PH visit—Palace exec

UN rapporteur free to hold dialogue with personalities during PH visit—Palace exec

Published Feb 1, 2024 07:35 am

While the government accompanied United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur Irene Khan in her engagements during her stay in the Philippines, she was given the freedom to meet personalities outside the government.

Irene Khan PTFOMs.jpg
UN Special Rapporteur Irene Khan (Photo courtesy of Presidential Task Force on Media Security)

Undersecretary Paul Gutierrez, executive director Presidential Task Force on Media Security, explained that the government has no information on the discussions Khan had with other personalities like former Senator Leila de Lima as they gave her the liberty to meet them during her 10-day visit.

"Yun pong mga engagement po niya sa ibang mga, kagaya niyan, ibang personalidad outside of the government ay hindi po natin ito pinakikialaman at ito po kasi ay bilang pagpapakita pa rin sa kanya na malaya po siyang makipag-usap, makipag dayalogo sa sino man pong gusto niyang makausap (We did not meddle with her engagement with other personalities like those outside of the government to signify that she has the freedom to talk to, have dialogue to whoever she wanted)," Gutierrez said in a televised interview on Thursday, Feb. 1.

"So pasensya na po kayo, wala po tayong alam sa detalye ng kanilang pag-uusap ni dating Sen. Leila de Lima except 'yun lang pong nabasa natin sa pahayagan (So, we apologize, we do not have any detail on her discussion with former Senator Leila de Lima except those that came out in the news)," he added.

Khan has met various government officials and personalities in the country. She has visited Baguio, Tacloban, and Cebu and met officials from the Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Supreme Court (SC), National Security Cluster, and leaders in the Congress.

Khan was also scheduled to meet Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin at the Malacañan Palace on Thursday afternoon.

In an earlier interview, Gutierrez stressed that the UN official's visit should not be viewed as controversial, and the country should not be alarmed over the visit as it will be the third time a UN Special Rapporteur steps foot into the country under the new administration alone.

He also clarified that Khan's visit to the country was not connected to the International Criminal Court (ICC) drug war investigation.

The UN rapporteur is set to leave the country on Feb. 2.

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PTFoMS Leila de Lima Irene Khan
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