Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 17) — President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday said the Philippine government was not consulted on the country’s vote backing a United Nations probe into the recent conflict in Gaza.
Last month, the UN Human Rights Council agreed to launch an international investigation on the hostilities, saying the deadly Israeli strikes on Gaza might constitute war crimes and that Palestinian militants had violated international humanitarian law by firing rockets into Israel.
During a ceremony in Malacanang, Duterte asked Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea for clarification regarding the “ruckus” on the Philippine vote before heading to the exit call of the Israeli ambassador to the Philippines.
“Bong Medialdea, ayusin muna natin ito. Ano ba iyong boto natin sa UN na pina-withdraw? Iyong sa Israel,” he said.
[Translation: Let us fix this first. What was our vote in the UN that we are being asked to withdraw? The one in Israel.]
“Sino bang may alam diyan? (Who knows this?) What was that ruckus about? Our representative voted without consulting the home government,” the President added.
Government officials, including Medialdea, approached Duterte and seemed to be explaining the matter to him. However, the feed was cut off.
CNN Philippines has reached out to Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque – who was also present in the event at the Palace – for more details but he has yet to respond.
The Philippines was among several states that voted in favor of the UN probe.
On May 30, the Israeli government summoned Philippine Ambassador Macairog Alberto to clarify the country’s vote, which it described as “unacceptable to Israel and constitutes a reward for terrorism.”
In a briefing on June 3, Roque said the country stands by its vote, which “should not in any way” affect the “excellent” ties between Israel and the Philippines.
