MANILA - Malacañang on Saturday stood by its statement calling out United Nations Special Rapporteur Agnes Callamard for failing to notify the Philippine government of her visit to Manila even as the human rights expert clarified that she had given notice.

In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said the government had asked Callamard to "reconsider" her trip as the Philippine delegation set to present the country's human rights record before the UN's Universal Periodic Review in Geneva wished to meet her there.

The delegation led by Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano is now in Switzerland and is set to make its presentation on Monday, where it intends to dispel concerns over alleged human rights abuses under President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs.

"She conveniently failed to disclose that when the UNHCHR (United Nations High Commission on Human Rights) office in Geneva informed the Philippine Mission there, the Mission asked her to reconsider the trip since Philippine officials would be in Geneva at the same time for the Universal Periodic Review, and were expecting to see her, that being the appropriate venue to meet," Abella said.

Callamard's reply, however, came on the day she left for the Philippines, the official said. She made her first public appearance in Manila Thursday night.

"This was neither timely nor proper courtesy accorded to a sovereign nation. We stand by our statement," said Abella.

Callamard was supposed to undertake an investigation last year into alleged extrajudicial killings under the anti-drug campaign. But her mission did not push through as she found the government's conditions, including a public debate with Duterte, unacceptable.

Malacañang had earlier said Callamard's visit was unannounced, adding that it would raise the matter before the UN. In response, the UN investigator said she did inform the Philippine government of her visit to take part in an academic conference on drug-related issues.

• READ: Callamard: Philippine government knew of Manila visit

The visit, she clarified, was not an official one.

She said the Philippine government acknowledged receipt of her letters and replied on April 29 and May 1. She even communicated with the Philippines Permanent Mission via phone and email until May 4.