President Rodrigo Duterte presides over the 46th Cabinet Meeting at the Malacañan Palace on March 2, 2020. Rey Baniquet, Presidential Photo

MANILA- The Philippines has allowed the resumption of loan and grant negotiations with countries that supported Iceland’s call for a comprehensive report on President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs.

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, in a memorandum dated Feb. 27, directed the lifting of the suspension of negotiations with the said countries. Medialdea in August last year ordered state departments to shun loans and grants from 18 countries that backed an inquiry into the drug war.

Palace lifts the suspension of negotiations for loan and agreements with countries that favored the Iceland resolution on drug war killings @ABSCBNNews pic.twitter.com/LaskMBkysg — Arianne Merez (@arianne_merez) March 4, 2020

"Please be informed that such directive is hereby lifted, effective immediately,” Medialdea said in the memorandum.

“It is understood, however, that all necessary approvals, authorities and clearances, as required by relevant laws, rules, and regulations should first be obtained prior to actual negotiations and conclusions of any agreement," he added.

Last year, the United Nations Human Rights Council adopted the Iceland-backed resolution that called for a report on Manila’s human rights situation, including extrajudicial killings under Duterte’s drug war.

The country earned Duterte’s ire, saying it does not understand the Philippines’ problems. Manila rejected the resolution which was approved by 18 countries.

In rejecting aid from the 18 countries, Malacañang touted the move as a "political statement."

The following countries favored the Iceland resolution: