Singer-songwriter James Taylor tweeted Wednesday that he would not be playing his February show in Manila due to the extreme measures taken by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte against anyone involved with illegal drugs. In the message, Taylor shares that he doesn’t think of his songs as political, but sometimes one is called upon to take a stand. Folk-rock icon James Taylor has canceled his February 2017 concert in Manila on his forthcoming tour across Asia to make a statement against Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s “war on drugs,” which has left thousands dead since Duterte took office in June. Philippine government officials have defended police actions during the extreme movement, reports Billboard. While acknowledging that drug addiction is a worldwide problem that seriously harms society, Taylor criticized the anti-drug campaign. According to Taylor, there are reports that Duterte has authorized the “summary executions of suspected offenders without trial or judicial process.”

On Twitter, Taylor writes, “For a sovereign nation to prosecute and punish, under the law, those responsible for illegal trade in drugs is, of course, understandable, even commendable,” but he notes that the reports are “deeply concerning and unacceptable to anyone who loves the rule of law.”

Offering his “heartfelt apologies,” James writes, “I don’t think of my music as being particularly political, but sometimes one is called upon to make a political stand.”

While many fans tweeted their support, others mocked Taylor for believing media reports, and some accused him of canceling the show because he’d failed to sell any tickets. MANILA—James Taylor has canceled his February concert in Manila, saying he finds reports of summary executions of suspected drug offenders in the Philippines without judicial proceedings “deeply concerning and unacceptable.”

The American singer-songwriter tweeted Wednesday that he had been looking forward to performing in Manila and that it... The rest of the tour, featuring shows in Hong Kong, Singapore, New Zealand, and Australia, will carry on early next year as scheduled.
Musician James Taylor cancels a concert in Manila to protest the ongoing drug war.