Duterte vs the ICC: ‘Why would I defend or face an accusation before white people?’

ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda at the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict, 12 June 2014 (Wikimedia Commons)
ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda at the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict, 12 June 2014 (Wikimedia Commons)

At the end of last night’s Talk to the Nation updates, President Rodrigo Duterte spoke ~briefly~ about the International Criminal Court (ICC) and its inquiry into the government’s war on drugs.

Following a report by DILG Secretary Eduardo Año on police anti-drug operations, Duterte started on a diatribe against the ICC, saying that he will not face their accusations—especially in a “white” court run by “colonizers”. Duterte said: “I will not. Why would I defend or face an accusation before white people? You must be crazy. Iyong mga colonizers ito noon they have not atoned for their sins against the countries that they invaded, including the Philippines.”

Duterte also appeared to dismiss the authority of the ICC, saying, “Our laws are different. Our criminal procedure is very different. How will you suppose to get justice there?”

Calling the ICC “bullsh*t, Duterte reiterated that he will not face “white people”: “Ako magharap ng mga puti? L**** kayo. Gawin niyo akong… I will… I will readily face a court being accused in a Philippine court before a Filipino judge. Huwag nila akong ma… Lalo na ‘yang prosecutor. Iyang… I do not want to insult.” (“Me, face white people? [expletives deleted] I will readily face a court being accused in a Philippine court before a Filipino judge. They shouldn’t…Especially the prosecutor, that…I do not want to insult.”)

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WATCH: ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda on the opening of examinations into the PH drug war

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Duterte said that the drug problem was still a grave matter in the Philippines, and that he will stand up to the ICC in defense of the youth of the country. “Kaya gusto kong sampalin ko ‘yang mga judges diyan. Loko-loko pala kayo eh. My country—you want my country to go down the drain. Justice—prosecutor ako. Of course. I can defend myself.” (“That’s why I want to slap those judges. You must be crazy.”)

Read the full transcript here.

 



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