‘You can’t compromise on human rights’ – Bono to Duterte

In this Monday, Sept. 10, 2018, photo, U2 singer Bono waves good-bye to the media after a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France. (Photo by MICHEL EULER / AP)

MANILA, Philippines — “You can’t compromise on human rights.”

This was the “soft message” of U2 frontman Bono to President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday when he was asked about his opinion on the rights situation in the Philippines.

Bono is here for his first-ever Philippine concert on Wednesday.

He also attended the launch of a blood-by-drone initiative between the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) and the automated logistics company Zipline.

During a press conference following the launch, Bono, a member of rights group Amnesty International (AI), was asked about his opinion on the rights situation in the Philippines.

AI previously raised its concerns about rights-related issues in the Philippines.

“I think we’re trying to make a difference here rather than make headlines for something else,” Bono said.

However, Bono continued by saying that he had been a member of AI all his life and that he viewed human rights as “critical.”

“My impression of the Philippines [is that it has] very caring, very sophisticated people. I understand that when progress is made, sometimes people make what they think are compromises for that progress,” Bono said.

“And I would just say, you can’t compromise on human rights. That’s my soft message to President Duterte,” he added.

Another reporter asked if Bono was planning to meet with Duterte, to which the musician responded: “I have no plans.”

“President Duterte is very popular. He doesn’t need me on his side,” he added.

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo earlier said AI had been “politicizing” the alleged cases of extrajudicial killings in the Philippines after the group slammed the Duterte administration for its lack of “meaningful accountability” in its campaign against drugs.

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