The Duterte government was unfazed by pressure from the EU parliament to impose trade sanctions against PH for the “ rapid deterioration of human rights ”

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 18) – The Philippine government is unfazed by the European Union’s push for trade sanctions over what foreign lawmakers described as a “rapidly deteriorating human rights” situation and extrajudicial executions under President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration, officials said Friday. local.

The EU Parliament on Thursday adopted a resolution calling for immediate trade sanctions against the Philippines. The resolution urged the European Commission to initiate the procedure for the temporary withdrawal of the Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (SPG +) program granted by the 27-nation bloc to the Philippines “in the absence of a substantial improvement and the willingness to cooperate on the part from the Philippine authorities “.

RELATED: EU Parliament denounces deterioration of human rights, freedom of the press in PH

Commerce Secretary Ramón López said that the Philippine government is cooperating with the EU Commission, the main institution implementing the GSP + scheme that grants zero tariffs for the country’s exports to Europe.

He is confident that the Filipino representatives are effectively debunking the allegations.

“So far, we can objectively explain to the Philippine side on the issues that are raised and we see no reason why our GSP + privilege will be withdrawn,” he said in a statement.

Meanwhile, presidential spokesman Harry Roque lost his cool after the threat from EU lawmakers. He said that Filipinos have nothing more to lose as the country’s economy has bottomed out due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“If you want to increase the suffering of the Filipino people during the pandemic, so be it! Let them do what they want! In these times, if they want to implement it, go ahead!” he said Friday during his press conference.

[Translation: If they want to add to the burden of Filipinos in this time of pandemic, so be it! They can do whatever they want! If they want to implement it at this time, go ahead!]

He added that if the tariff benefits are revoked, EU lawmakers will be the “biggest contributor to the violation” of human rights.

He also said that the decision of European legislators was based on “misinformation” perpetrated by the Communist Party of the Philippines and its founder Joma Sison, who is in the Netherlands as a political refugee.

Member of the European Parliament Hannah Neumann said the Duterte administration continues to enjoy the benefits of the tariff deal despite her administration’s dismal human rights record. She asked for the “immediate” cancellation of this privilege by initiating the revocation procedure on September 21.

“Duterte, the President of the Philippines, who is encouraging his own services to kill tens of thousands of people, still enjoys EU trade privileges under the GSP + scheme, which are allegedly linked to improvements in human rights, but the situation is just getting worse, “he said. “And that is why I am so happy that in all political parties, in this resolution, we call on the Commission to initiate the procedure to revoke these privileges immediately and, to be frank, immediately, we refer to the Monday”.

The GSP + program gives the Philippines the benefit of exporting more than 6,000 products to any of the 28 EU member countries with zero tariff. Products that can benefit from duty-free access include coconut and seafood, processed fruits, prepared foods, animal and vegetable fats and oils, textiles, clothing, hats, footwear, furniture, umbrellas, and chemicals. The Philippines has enjoyed this benefit since 2014.

To be accepted in the special incentives trade agreement, countries must implement international conventions on human rights, among others.

The zero tariff is important because it allows Philippine exports, such as fruits, vegetables and clothing, to better compete in the European market, benefiting the country’s small and medium-sized businesses. Suspension of GSP plus status would mean higher prices for Philippine exports to the European market.

The EU resolution – where 626 voted in favor, 7 against and 52 abstained – reminded the Philippine authorities of their obligations under the GSP + scheme, particularly “with regard to human rights and the consequences of non-compliance with those obligations” .

EU lawmakers requested the help of the Commission and the European External Action Service to persuade Philippine officials to end the alleged extrajudicial killings in connection with the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign.

Government data shows that more than 6,000 people, including suspected drug users and traffickers, have been killed in illegal drug operations since Duterte took office in July 2016. However, local and international rights groups say dozens Thousands more have died in extrajudicial killings. a claim that the government has repeatedly denied. The international human rights group Human Rights Watch also said that atrocities in the war on drugs worsened during the lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, citing a 50 percent increase in cases compared to the four-month period. previous.

The Philippines, in several cases since Duterte’s term began in 2016, has rejected aid from the European Union. Duterte challenged the EU to withdraw its aid to the Philippines after they raised concerns about alleged extrajudicial executions in their bloody war on drugs.