Who would’ve thought that the brutal killing of African-American Keith Lamont Scott in Charlotte, North Carolina would pique President Rodrigo Duterte’s interest?
Speaking in front of policemen and law enforcers at the Regional Police Office 12 in General Santos City on Sep 23, Fri, Duterte tore the United States a new one.
This time, he used the case of 43-year-old Scott, who was killed by police officer Brentley Vinson on Sep 20. His death sparked turmoil in Charlotte, which led North Carolina governor Pat McCrory to declare a state of emergency.
According to The Philippine Star, Duterte is now considering sending a police team to North Carolina.
No, not to secure Filipinos in Charlotte (if there are any).
Duterte wants his police team to investigate human rights abuses in North Carolina.
“We’re interested to know why they shoot black people in America,” he said the same PhilStar report.
Duterte said he already advised Philippine National Police director general Ronald ‘Bato’ dela Rosa to be ready when he decides to send the team to the U.S.
Duterte used Scott’s murder to make a point: The U.S. and the European Union (EU) is exhibiting double standards in dealing with the alleged human rights violations in his bloody war against illegal drugs.
The tough-talking Duterte has taken offense at U.S. President Barack Obama, the EU and the United Nations who expressed their concerned about the rising death toll of the drug war in the Philippines. He has reiterated time and again that he refuses to be “lectured” by Westerners.
