Why the inordinate fuss on whether President Donald Trump raised human rights concerns in his bilateral talks with President Rodrigo Duterte?

Whether or not there was a discussion on human rights violations connected with the Duterte administration’s violent war against suspected drug peddlers and users would not diminish or conceal the unabated transgressions in the country.

Obviously, the restraints of diplomacy and deference to the host country foreclosed any extended discussion by the two presidents on an embarrassing issue, which has been repeatedly condemned globally and locally by human rights groups and advocates.

It is enough for now that the joint statement of Trump and Duterte “underscored that human rights and the dignity of human life are essential, and agreed to continue to mainstream the human rights agenda in their national programs to promote the welfare of all sectors including the most vulnerable groups.”

Reading between the lines of the diplomatically worded joint communiqué reveals both an indictment of the Philippine adverse situation and a commitment to positively address human rights violations, particularly against the vulnerable sectors.

What is overriding is that the Duterte administration must end forthwith the extrajudicial killings even without the prodding of foreign leaders.

EDCEL C. LAGMAN