UK ambassador Asif Ahmad reacts president-elect Rodrigo Duterte’s controversial remarks.
United Kingdom’s ambassador to the Philippines Asif Ahmad reacted to the recent controversial statements of incoming president Rodrigo Duterte about journalists.
GMA News reported that Ahmad said taking down the lives of journalists should not be justified “no matter how much you disagree with them.”
“The UK standards are unchanged. We are totally committed to the elimination and condemnation of the k*****g of journalists in going about their work,” he was quoted saying.
Ahmad noted the Philippines has a terrible record of media eradication which needs to be corrected.
Duterte’s controversial statement about journalist garnered negative reactions from the journalist, with some media groups urging the mediamen to boycott him.
Aside from the controversial remark, the incoming Chief Executive was criticized for catcalling GMA News anchor Mariz Umal during a press conference on Tuesday.
The ambassador clarified that he is not condemning Duterte as he has yet to assume the office. But, he stressed that a public official should show respect.
“There is a huge responsibility for any office holder to show respect for the office that they hold and respect for the people that they have the privilege to govern for,” he said.
On Thurday, Duterte dared the journalists to boycott him and stop the journalism in the country. He also defended the catcalling, saying that it is a freedom of expression.
Duterte also said that he doesn’t find the whistle-blowing a violation Women Development Code of Davao City.