MANILA - The Commission on Human Rights has cautioned President Rodrigo Duterte on the use of kidnapping and torture, even as a joke, in his public statements.

The President should not have said that auditors from the Commission on Audit should be kidnapped or tortured as they are a hindrance to the work being done by the executive department, said CHR spokesperson Jacqueline Ann de Guia.

“These are serious human rights violations, if carried out, and we do hope that these terminologies will not be used even in the context of jokes and uttered against any one, may it be an ordinary person, a public official, or COA,” de Guia said.

The President made the statement about kidnapping and torturing auditors in a gathering in Pasay City in connection with government efforts in maintaining peace and order in communities.

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo immediately clarified that the President was just joking.

“We do hope that the statements uttered by the President are not serious. We are alarmed though with the use of the words tourture, as well as kidnapping,” de Guia said.

The CHR also reiterated the constitutional mandate of state auditors whose jobs of making sure public funds are spent well should be protected.

“The COA, like the CHR, is an independent institution under the constitution performing such vital tasks, that of checking the wise utilization of funds. We hope that these pronouncements will not hamper them in carrying out their mandate effectively as well as in conformity with Philippine laws,” de Guia said.

In various audit reports last year, expenses of several government officials such as resigned Tourism secretary Wanda Teo, resigned Tourism Promotions Board Chief Operating Officer Cesar Montano and Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos were flagged by state auditors.

The President had also said in the past that state auditors should be pushed down the stairs after Marcos complained to him of COA prohibitions on the release of public funds especially during calamities.