The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) welcomes the UN Human Rights Council’s resolution calling for a comprehensive probe on the human rights situation in the Philippines, especially in the face of the rising death count allegedly linked to the government’s own campaign against illegal drugs.

As a member of the Council, the Philippine Government – despite vigorously campaigning against its adoption – should show that it genuinely adheres to Universal values and standards by seeing this as a prospect to cooperate closely with the international community in ensuring full respect and compliance with the globally accepted norms of human rights. This also provides the Philippines an opportunity to further improve the human rights situation by seriously considering all the UNHRC recommendations that will be given pursuant to this resolution and to follow-thru on the most recent Universal Periodic Review. We should also seriously review the current misguided policy of refusing access to the Special Mechanisms on Human Rights and instead consider extending a standing invitation to all special rapporteurs and working groups.