INIHAYAG ng pamosong folk rock singer na si James Taylor ang kanselasyon ng kanyang concert sa Pilipinas bilang bahagi ng kanyang Pacific tour.
Sa kanyang tweet sa kanyang Twitter account na @JamesTaylor_com, sinabi ng five-time Grammy award winner na nalulungkot siya sa desisyong ikansela ang concert na nakatakda sana sa Pebrero sa susunod na taon.
“I don’t think of my music as being particularly political but sometimes one is called upon to make a political stand,” sabi ni Taylor.
Idinagdag ni Taylor na nakakabahala at hindi katanggap-tanggap ang mga pagpatay sa bansa.
“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,” dagdag ni Taylor.
“I offer my heartfelt apologies for any inconvenience or disappointment this may cause my Filipino friends but I must now announce that I will not be performing [in] February,” ayon pa kay Taylor.
Tiniyak naman ni Taylor na ire-refund ang mga nabiling tiket.
Tuloy naman ang iba pang concert ni Taylor na nakatakda sa Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia at New Zealand.