MANILA, Philippines - Through posts on his social media account, five-time Grammy award winner James Taylor announced the cancellation of his concert in Manila next year citing the increased number of deaths allegedly related to President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs as his reason.
According to the American singer-song writer and guitarist, he has been looking forward to perform for his audience in the Philippines this coming February but had to make a political stand even if his music isn’t political in nature. He also apologized for causing “inconvenience or disappointment” to his Filipino fans.
“I don’t think of my music as being particularly political, but sometimes one is called upon to make a political stand,” wrote in his Twitter account.
Although Taylor commends the government’s efforts to prosecute individuals behind the illegal drug trade in the Philippines, he emphasized that reports of summary executions of suspected personalities without trial or judicial process are deeply concerning.
“For [a] sovereign nation to prosecute and punish, under the law, those responsible for the illegal trade in drugs is, of course, understandable, even commendable; but recent reports from the Philippines of summary executions of suspected offenders without trial or judicial process are deeply concerning and unacceptable to anyone who loves the rule of law,” Taylor explained.
Tickets sold will be fully refunded, Taylor reiterated in his message. He added that the cancellation of his concert in Manila will not influence his plans to perform in other cities like Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia as well as New Zealand.
Known as one of the best-selling artists of all time, Taylor popularized the songs “Fire and Rain” and “You’ve Got a Friend.” In 2000, Taylor was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
--Mini, The Summit Express
According to the American singer-song writer and guitarist, he has been looking forward to perform for his audience in the Philippines this coming February but had to make a political stand even if his music isn’t political in nature. He also apologized for causing “inconvenience or disappointment” to his Filipino fans.
“I don’t think of my music as being particularly political, but sometimes one is called upon to make a political stand,” wrote in his Twitter account.
— James Taylor (@JamesTaylor_com) December 21, 2016
Although Taylor commends the government’s efforts to prosecute individuals behind the illegal drug trade in the Philippines, he emphasized that reports of summary executions of suspected personalities without trial or judicial process are deeply concerning.
“For [a] sovereign nation to prosecute and punish, under the law, those responsible for the illegal trade in drugs is, of course, understandable, even commendable; but recent reports from the Philippines of summary executions of suspected offenders without trial or judicial process are deeply concerning and unacceptable to anyone who loves the rule of law,” Taylor explained.
Tickets sold will be fully refunded, Taylor reiterated in his message. He added that the cancellation of his concert in Manila will not influence his plans to perform in other cities like Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia as well as New Zealand.
Known as one of the best-selling artists of all time, Taylor popularized the songs “Fire and Rain” and “You’ve Got a Friend.” In 2000, Taylor was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
--Mini, The Summit Express
