Philippines' top senator attacks Iceland over abortion after call for UN investigation into drugs war

Senate President Vicente Sotto said the Nordic nation lacks the moral grounds to lecture because of its ‘killings in abortion’

His remarks are the latest in a series of comments from lawmakers urging the government not to cooperate with a UN investigation into the drugs war

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Philippine activists hold signs in support of a UN investigation into the country’s drugs war. Photo: EPA

Published: 7:30pm, 15 Jul 2019Updated: 7:44pm, 15 Jul 2019

The Philippines’ highest-ranking lawmaker said on Monday that a UN resolution to probe the country’s bloody war on drugs should be ignored, and its chief backer Iceland investigated instead for human rights abuses in allowing abortion.

“They have more unborn babies that they have aborted or killed. There are more killings in abortion than the drug pushers who are fighting the police,” Senate President Vicente Sotto told ANC news channel.

Philippine Senate President Vicente Sotto III. Photo: AFP

The Nordic nation lacks moral grounds to lecture the Philippines on human rights, Sotto said. “So we should disregard that resolution.”

His remarks are the latest in a series of comments from lawmakers urging the government to not cooperate after the UN Human Rights Council on Thursday adopted Iceland’s resolution to investigate thousands of deaths under Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-drugs campaign.

Police have killed more than 6,600 suspected drug dealers in sting operations since Duterte took office in 2016. Critics and rights group said authorities summarily execute suspects, which the police deny.