Philippines to reject grants from ‘interfering’ Europe

The European Union has been critical of Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs. Manman Dejeto / AFP Photo

MANILA // The Philippines said on Thursday it would refuse European Union grants that “interfered” with its internal affairs, following the bloc’s repeated criticism of president Rodrigo Duterte’s deadly drug war.

The EU has been one of the most vocal international critics of Mr Duterte’s drug war which has seen thousands of people killed since he to power last year.

“The president has approved the recommendation of the department of finance not to accept grants ... from the EU that may allow it to interfere with the internal policies of the Philippines,” presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said.

Mr Abella said one grant had already been declined for having “objectionable” conditions attached to it, although he refused to elaborate.

The EU is the Philippines’ eighth biggest source of aid, with assistance last year worth US$217 million (Dh800), according to government data.

Mr Abella said humanitarian aid would still be accepted. The EU ambassador to Manila, Franz Jessen, said the decision affected €250 million (Dh1.02 billion) in grants.

Economic secretary Ernesto Pernia added to the confusion by saying Mr Duterte may retract it.

“I will not take that as a policy. It is more of a reaction to criticisms. To me, on face value, it appears kind of unwelcome or not a good move but perhaps, I don’t think it’s going to remain as such,” Mr Pernia said.

Mr Duterte, 72, has repeatedly criticised the EU for condemning his drug war, which has led to accusations of a crime against humanity.

The EU has said is reviewing Philippine exports’ duty-free status because of rights concerns, which also include Mr Duterte’s plans to bring back the death penalty and lower the age of criminal responsibility to nine.

Mr Duterte last year used expletives and raised his middle finger in response to a European parliament statement expressing concern over the killings.

The German government also expressed concern after Mr Duterte last year drew parallels between his drug war and Nazi Germany leader Adolf Hitler’s Holocaust.

“Hitler massacred three million Jews. Now there are three million drug addicts [in the Philippines]. I’d be happy to slaughter them,” Mr Duterte said, underestimating the number of people killed in the Holocaust.

He later apologised for the Hitler reference but said he was “emphatic” about wanting to kill addicts.

Mr Duterte easily won presidential elections last year after promising to end crime by killing tens of thousands of drug traffickers and addicts.

Police have reported killing about 2,700 people since the president took office at the end of June.

Unknown assailants have killed more than 1,800 others, while about 5,700 other violent deaths are under investigation, according to police.

Mr Duterte has also loosened the Philippines’ ties with traditional ally the United States. Instead, Manila has embraced China, which has supported the drug war and sought to deepen economic ties by providing billions of dollars worth of investments and aid to the Philippines.

Mr Duterte, a self-described socialist, has also forged warmer relations with Russia, and will travel to Moscow next week to meet president Vladimir Putin.

* Agence France-Presse