VIENTIANNE, Laos – Sinabi ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte na magiging improper at nakakabastos kapag binanggit ng United States ang usapin sa extrajudicial killings sa Pilipinas sa 28th and 29th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summits at iba pang kaugnay na summit.
“I think it was one of his (US President Barack Obama) staff, the national security adviser, who was saying they will bring up the matter of extrajudicial killings (sa bilateral meeting),”sinabi ni Pangulong Duterte sa news briefing matapos makaharap ang Filipino community sa Feungfar Grand Convention Center nitong Lunes ng gabi. “That is not a proper subject of a summit like this. It would be improper and highly bastos.”
Ayon kay Duterte, ayaw niyang makasagutan ang pinakamakapangyarihang bansa sa mundo. Gayunman, patuloy aniyang naglalabas ng mga pahayag ang staff ni Obama tungkol sa Pilipinas at kung paano pinamamahalaan ang bansa.
“You could have just sent me a note verbale or whatever and let me respond and let the human rights act on it,” bungad ng Pangulo. “There’s a protocol for that. You just cannot shoot a statement against the president of any country.”
“If at all, it should be done in the highest level of diplomacy,” dagdag niya. “I am not a governor of a state or a city mayor of the United States. You know Philippines is an independent country. It is not a vassal state of anybody so you have to be very careful.”
Sinabi ni Duterte na walang preno ang Washington sa pagbatikos sa human rights.
“How about you? I have so many questions also about human rights to ask you,” buwelta niya.
Dahil sa mga pahayag na ito ni Duterte ay kinansela ni President Obama ang nakatakda sana nilang pagpupulong kahapon.
(ROY C. MABASA)