Duterte vows to protect human rights at UNGA, criticizes detractors

President Rodrigo Duterte, in his UN General Assembly debut, vowed to protect human rights while simultaneously criticizing detractors who allegedly weaponize these rights to discredit his government.

He pushed for an open dialogue and constructive engagement with the UN on human rights, but called for respect for objectivity and noninterference.

Duterte asserted that the Philippines will continue to protect the human rights of its people, especially from illegal drugs, criminality, and terrorism.

He claimed that some interest groups, both well-meaning and ill-intentioned, attempt to discredit democratic institutions and a popularly elected government by misusing human rights.

The President also highlighted the Philippines' new Anti-Terrorism law, which has faced criticism locally and internationally.

Data from the Philippine National Police show there have been at least 7,884 deaths during police operations as of August 31, 2020, a figure that excludes victims of vigilante-style killings estimated by groups to have reached over 27,000.