Says he would be happy to die for the country
By GENALYN KABILING
Save your tears in case President Duterte gets convicted for crimes against humanity.
The President recently said he would be “happy” to die for the country after the International Criminal Court launched an inquiry into the crimes allegedly committed under his war on illegal drugs.
“Do not mind me, I can take care of myself. If I get convicted, do not cry, I’d be happy to die,” the President said before an assembly of local government executives from Visayas and Mindanao in Cebu City last Monday night.
“I want a place where they allow firing squads, bring me there and shoot me,” he added.
The President also said the war on illegal drugs would continue until the end of his term despite the ICC probe into the alleged drug killings under his watch.
“I’d like to address myself to the International Criminal Court and the prosecutors coming here to investigate me:
The war or the drive against drugs will not stop and it will last until the day I step out,” Duterte said.
“If I go to prison, I go to prison. If you want to execute me, look for a country that allows prisoners to be executed by firing squad,” he added.
ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda earlier announced a preliminary examination into the alleged crimes committed in Duterte’s anti-drug campaign. The inquiry seeks to establish whether or not the ICC has jurisdiction, and if crimes against humanity had been committed.
The ICC prosecutor was acting on the communications filed by lawyer Jude Sabio, and Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, and Rep. Gary Alejano who alleged Duterte was responsible for the extrajudicial killings since he began his war on drugs as mayor of Davao.
The President, however, asserted that there was nothing wrong with his threat to kill drug traffickers and pushers if they destroy the country.
“What’s wrong with the statement? Can I not threaten criminals who would want to do destroy this generation or my country or vis-à-vis?” he said. “It’s a legitimate warning to everybody,” he added.
Duterte likewise defended his strong leadership amid criticisms on his dictatorial tendencies, saying nothing will happen if he would be weak leader.
“If I do not dictate, if I just allow everybody to implement the law on their own good sweet time, walang mangyari talaga, alam ninyo ‘yan. Walang gumagalaw,” he said.
