PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte said Wednesday, July 17, he would ignore the investigation any international body will initiate, as he is only inclined to face a "Philippine court."
His statement came on the heels of the United Nations Human Rights Council's (UNHRC) adoption of Iceland-led resolution that seeks to probe his administration's war on narcotics trade that has so far killed more than 6,000 suspected drug offenders.
In a television interview, Duterte said he would not allow any foreign intervention, as he stressed that the justice system in the Philippines is working.
"Look, as I have told you before ladies and gentlemen of the world, kasali na ‘yang (including those) all the governments there, I will only be tried or face a trial in a Philippine court presided by a Filipino judge, prosecuted by a Filipino," Duterte said.
"I will not answer a Caucasian asking question, or white man there. You must be stupid. Who are you? I am a Filipino, we have our courts here. Why would you have to bring me somewhere else? I would not like that. I have my country. It’s working, I know it’s working, justice is working here," he added.
Following the adoption of the resolution submitted by Iceland, UN rights chief Micelle Backelet is mandated to produce a comprehensive written report on Duterte's drug war and present it during the UNHRC's 44th session by June 2020.
Duterte, unfazed by the UN probe, said he would not be stopped from "killing" drug personalities in the country in the second half of his term.
"I am not maybe a well renowned lawyer but I’m a lawyer. So they are lawyers who ayaw nilang pumatay. Ako ‘yung lawyer [na] because sa trabaho ko, pumapatay ako. And so, what gives? If nobody will do it, who will do it for us? Police? Katakot na lang niyan. Military will not do it. It will only do it if it’s a legitimate order," he said.
(I am not maybe a well renowned lawyer but I’m a lawyer. So they are the lawyers who do not want to kill. I am the lawyer who kills because of my work. And so, what gives? If nobody will do it, who will do it for us? Police? They're afraid. Military will not do it. It will only do it if it’s a legitimate order.)
"Kaya sabi ko nga (That's why I said) if you are into drugs, drop it now or else you’ll die. No choice. Because my order is very clear. Destroy the apparatus of the drug situation in the Philippines," he added.
Police record shows that around 6,600 suspected drug personalities have been killed in legitimate anti-drug operations carried out from July 2016 to May 2019.
Duterte brushed aside international criticisms, saying his focus was to stop the drug problem in the country.
"So whether they like it or not, I will continue what I started to the very end. Kaya nga if the end brings me out all right, what is said against me won’t amount to anything... I just work," he said. (SunStar Philippines)