MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang disputed yesterday British Ambassador Asif Ahmad’s claim that change has come to the Philippines but not in a good way under the Duterte administration. Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said Ahmad’s statement does not reflect the sentiment of Filipinos. Ahmad had expressed concern over the alleged extrajudicial killings of suspected drug offenders in the country, something that he said raised questions among investors. “One wishes diplomats were more familiar with life beyond the rarefied atmosphere of gated villages,” he added, apparently referring to Ahmad’s residence in Forbes Park, Makati. In an interview Monday night at his Forbes Park residence, Ahmad said the issues he dealt with when he first arrived in the country were public private partnerships or PPP, the Bangsamoro peace process and Charter change.

Source: Philippine Star February 22, 2017 16:07 UTC