Palace hits group for calling Philippines a ‘war zone’

DAVAO CITY, Philippines  (Updated January 19, 2019, 12:13 p.m.) —   Malacañang slammed yesterday a report by a US-based non-government organization which labeled the Philippines as a “war zone in disguise” along with Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and Yemen.

The Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED)’s Year in Review: 2018 described the Philippines as remarkable in ignorance and bias.

“As we have repeatedly conveyed to foreign human rights organizations, we do not need lectures from foreign groups on how to run a nation,” presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said.

Panelo said the recent surveys by the Social Weather Stations and Pulse Asia, which showed an increase in the approval and trust ratings of President Duterte, countered the claim of ACLED.

He said Duterte is widely supported by the Filipino people.

“The surveys showed that Filipinos continue to see a trustworthy leader in President Duterte. His continued popularity dispels all these allegations. Our people recognize, feel and embrace the visible change happening in our country,” Panelo said.

He noted that ACLED has not presented any proof that it conducted factual investigation in the country before releasing the report.

“It is reasonable to believe that its conclusion is based on allegations made by groups that are hopelessly and blindly critical of the Duterte administration,” Panelo said.

Panelo said ACLED also based its earlier review titled, “Duterte’s War: Drug-Related Violence,” on the alleged biased reports of these groups.

The report alleged that Duterte’s crackdown on drugs targets innocent civilians, thus putting the Philippines in the list of the most dangerous places in 2018. 

“We have repeatedly debunked the charge that the administration’s drug war is state-sponsored. The anti-drug campaign is governed by strict police protocols that subject the police officers to accountability, given the President’s zero tolerance for errant law enforcers,” Panelo said.

“Political and media detractors continue to hound the President with their reckless and baseless accusations as well as intrigues, yet they are not haled to court,” the spokesman added. 

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Editor's note: Philstar.com has removed a portion of the report that enumerated allegedly partisan news organizations.