United Nations Special Rapporteur Irene Khan on Thursday met Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin in Malacañang to discuss the state of the freedom of opinion and expression in the country.
According to the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS), Khan and Bersamin held an hour-long “frank talk” which also included the Marcos administration’s efforts to strengthen the rule of law and human rights.
Khan arrived in the Philippines on January 22, and will be in the country until February 2, 2024 to assess the current state of rights to freedom of opinion and expression in the country.
Over the weekend, Khan visited the Tacloban City Jail to visit the “Tacloban 5”, who were being held on suspicion of having ties to the New People’s Army.
Khan likewise conducted discussions with the Presidential Human Rights Committee Secretariat, the PTFoMs, and the Department of Justice (DOJ) regarding the killings of journalists in the country.
Khan also met with Supreme Court justices, led by Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo to tackle the country’s Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) and judicial reforms. —NB, GMA Integrated News
