PRRD to only face PH court

FILE: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte delivers his speech at the Freedom Residences in Tagum City on July 16, 2019. ROBINSON NIÑAL JR./PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte has no intention to face the international tribunal stressing that he would only answer to the Philippine courts.

Duterte made this comment after the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) adopted a resolution seeking to look into human rights violations in the country in relation to the administration’s anti-illegal drugs campaign.

“Look, as I have told you before ladies and gentlemen of the world, kasali na ‘yang (including) — and all the governments there, I will only face a — be tried or face a trial in a Philippine court presided by a Philippine, Filipino judge, prosecuted by a Filipino,” said Duterte in a TV interview with Pastor Apollo Quiboloy early Wednesday morning.

“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,” he added.

He said he does not see the need to face the international tribunal since Philippine courts were functioning.

“It’s working, I know it’s working, justice is working here,” Duterte said.

Duterte, a former prosecutor, said they could only prosecute him if there is a “total breakdown of justice in the country” and if Philippine courts are not willing to prosecute him.

Moreover, he said the international tribunal had no idea about the “real situation” going on in the Philippines and that he is willing to lecture them on the finer points of international law.

“You just don’t know the real situation.

You better study I said, that’s why… And then you force me to defend myself before you? Who are you?” Duterte said.

Duterte, meanwhile, blamed the opposition slate for “itching to go to trial” saying he would “love to debate with them anytime”.

Earlier, Duterte said he was “seriously considering” cutting ties with Iceland after it sponsored a resolution at the UNHRC to look into the Duterte administration’s drug war.

He added the Nordic state does not share the Philippines’ problem on illegal drugs.