PORT MORESBY — Refusing to recognize the authority of the International Criminal Court (ICC), President Duterte has declared that he should be instead tried in a court for “monsters.”
In his visit to Papua New Guinea, the President said he would not allow himself to be tried by a “few idiots” from the ICC, where he faces complaints for alleged crimes linked to his brutal war on illegal drugs.
Duterte, who has refused to back down from his anti-drug crackdown, acknowledged that human rights groups critical of his government have described him a monster not a human being.
“Sabi man nila, ‘That Duterte is not a human right — ah he is not human. He is a monster.’ O hindi ako kasali sa human rights. Maghanap kayo ng korte para sa mga monster. Kayo na rin nagsabi eh [They said, ‘That Duterte is not a human right, he is not human. He is a monster.’ So I’m not included in human rights. Find a court for monsters. You said it anyway],” he said before an assembly fo the Filipino community last Friday.
“Nkita mo ‘yung problema ko tapos sabihin mo lang p****** i** ka human right, letse ka. You go to hell [You’ve seen my problems but you say human rights. Son of a b*tch, you fools],” he added.
The President explained that he does not recognize the ICC since it was merely created by the European Union.
“Eh itong mga human rights ‘yung mga taga-EU, ‘yang European community, ‘yung mga puti. Kaya ako… Narinig ninyo na idinemanda ICC kasi imbestigahin daw ako [The human rights groups, those from EU, the European community, you’ve heard I was charged before the ICC. They will supposedly investigate me],” he told the Filipino audience.
“Sabi ko [I said] I do not recognize the ICC. It is a creation of EU. Hindi ‘yan ‘yung criminal — international court of justice. Ito creation of EU. They want to spread their gospel of international governance,” he added.
Duterte also questioned the qualifications of the ICC judges, saying he was not unaware how these people were chosen to sit in the court.
He likewise threatened to anew to slap the ICC prosecutor planning to investigate him over alleged crimes against humanity.
“Mga g***. Sabi ko sino ‘yung mga judges ninyo diyan? Bakit kasama ba kami pagpili nitong mga g*****, p***** i**** puti na ‘yan? Baka ito pedophile. ‘Yan man karamihan sa kanila,” he said.
“So why would I allow myself to be tried by a few idiots human beings in this world?” he added.
As he faces complaints over his war on drugs, Duterte then mulled about his plans for the post-presidency.
“Maybe after the end of my term I will catch the next available flight to reach Papua New Guinea. Magtago na lang ako doon sa bukid na,” he said, drawing laughter from the audience.
“I’m sure the governor can arrange for a simple living there,” he added.
The ICC earlier opened a preliminary probe into the alleged crimes against humanity committed in the President’s war on illegal drugs.
The President however decided to withdraw the country’s member from the ICC over violation of due process, constitutional presumption of innocence, among others.
He claimed that the Rome Statute, ratified by the Senate in 2011, was not enforceable in the country since it was not published in the Official Gazette, a legal requirement before a law takes effect.
The ICC later announced that the preliminary examination would continue despite the country’s pullout from the Rome Statute. (Genalyn Kabiling)
