(Eagle News) — Philippine National Police Chief Oscar Albayalde welcomed the election of the Philippines into the United Nations human Rights Council (UNHRC), even as he called on critics to help the government address human rights violations.
“First of all, the Philippine National Police shares with the entire Filipino nation the honor of being elected anew to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to serve another three-year term until 2020. The Philippines’ election to the UNHRC is a clear manifestation of the international community’s recognition of our steady progress in fulfilling international human rights obligations,” Albayalde said in a press conference in Camp Crame, Quezon City on Monday, October 15.
The PNP chief also asked the critics of the government that instead of putting the country in a bad light, they should help the current administration to improve the human rights situation in the country.
“‘Iyong ibang bansa wala silang nakikitang paglabag sa karapatang pantao. Siguro tayo, kung meron, might as well help the government instead of pinapahiya na lang natin ‘yong ating bansa in (the eyes of) other countries,” the PNP Chief said.
“Mas maganda pa sigurong magpasalamat and probably help the government na kung talagang meron silang nakikita,” he added.
Albayalde was reacting to Magdalo Party-list Rep. Gary Alejano’s statement that the election of the country to the UNHRC was an “irony” citing what he said were numerous rights violations in the country.
“It would be ironic na magiging miyembro tayo ng isang komisyon na magtataguyod at magpapatibay ng pagrespeto ng karapatang pantao sa buong mundo. Tingin ko walang karapatan ang Pilipinas na maging bahagi niyan,” Alejano said on Friday after the Philippines won a seat in the UNHRC.
