MANILA, Philippines—President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday threatened United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions Agnes Callamard of physical violence.
In a speech before the Filipino community in Vietnam, an upset Duterte said he would slap Callamard in front of the public if she would ‘insult’ him by launching an investigation on the alleged human rights violations in his war on illegal drugs.
“Kaya sabi ko kay Callamard, kung imbestigahin mo ako, sampalin kita [That’s why I told Callamard, if you are going to investigate me, I will slap you],” Duterte said.
“I will slap her in front of you. Why? Because you are insulting me. Why? Because you yourself do not believe in the research of your own organization. You are f****** me and I do not want it,” he added.
Duterte’s recent outburst against Callamard was caused by the latter’s alleged consultation with a doctor who said that drugs are harmless.
“Nagdala siya ng itim, black, doktor daw siya na… nagsabi daw siya on TV. You know, sabi niya, ‘use of drugs is harmless’. Sabi ko, p***** i**** ‘to [She brought a black, who claimed to be a doctor…and spoke on TV. You know, he said, ‘use of drugs is harmless’. I said, this son of a b****],” Duterte said.
According to him, the doctor’s statement contradicts a UN report entitled “International Narcotics Control Board Precursors and Chemicals Frequently Used in the Illicit Manufacture of Narcotic Drugs and Tropic Substances 2014” which stated that use of methamphetamine or shabu “sometimes triggers aggressive, violent and bizarre behavior among users.”
“How can I get a fair hearing if you yourself do not even read the publications of your mother organizations, of the United Nation?” Duterte asked.
He also threatened to slap UN of its report if they would try to pursue a case against him for extrajudicial killings.
“Sige, tingnan natin, isampal ko ito sa kanila. Eh mismong study ninyo ayaw ninyong paniwalain tapos ako kulungin ninyo because of extrajudicial killing [Sure, let’s see, I’ll slap this [report] to them. You don’t even believe your own study and you will put me in jail because of extrajudicial killing],” he said.
Callamard had earlier expressed desire to investigate alleged extrajudicial killings in the country. She was invited last year by Malacañang to come to the Philippines but declined due to the conditions set by the government, including a public debate with Duterte. Callmard said that it isn’t possible at is violates UN protocol.
As of press time, Callamard has not released any statement in relation to Duterte’s recent remarks.