- Duterte demands ICC investigation on EJK, war on drugs
FORMER President Rodrigo Duterte remains unfazed by his strong stance on the war on drugs and extrajudicial killings amid the House quad committee hearing on Wednesday, Nov. 13.
Duterte reiterated that he would take full responsibility for any legal or illegal orders given to the police during the operations in the drug war.
“The ICC doesn’t scare me a bit,” he said. “They can come here anytime. They can come here anytime and visit. Wala naman tayong taguan eh. Sinasabi ko na sa inyo, I did it for my country and the young people. As for drugs, no excuses, no apologies. If I go to hell, so be it,” he added.
Police records revealed that more than 7,000 were killed in the bloody drug war by the former administration. However, human rights groups claimed that the number could be more than 20,000.
Meanwhile, Vice President Sara Duterte made a surprise appearance to support his father at the committee hearing despite not being invited.
Duterte challenges ICC
Former President Rodrigo Duterte challenged the International Criminal Court (ICC) to come to the Philippines on Nov. 14 to investigate allegations of human rights violations related to the war on drugs.
He made this statement during the ongoing quad committee hearing on the alleged killings that occurred under his administration’s campaign against illegal drugs.
Duterte expressed that he would face the consequences of the ICC’s investigation.
“I am asking the ICC to hurry up. If possible, they can come here and start the investigation tomorrow. This issue has been left hanging for so many years. I might die, and they won’t be able to investigate me,” Duterte said.
“So, I am asking the ICC, through you, to come here tomorrow. Let them start the investigation. If I am found guilty, I will go to prison and rot there for all time,” he added.
For the country
“Pero ako, ginawa ko ito para sa bayan. Ginawa ko para sa mga anak. You’d never know the result of drugs on the children. You never understand the sacrifice and the misery,” he told Rep. Arlene Brosas.
“Makita niyo naman, and you’ll never understand what it’s like for a parent or a sibling to see their child who was once doing well in school—kindergarten, grade school, high school—only to be given drugs when they reach college, and end up a junkie. That was the painful reality when I was mayor. It’s unacceptable, and I would kill them for that, frankly. I couldn’t accept it,” Duterte continued.
Rep. Raquel Manuel interjected, arguing that killings are a painful approach to addressing the issue.
A heated exchange then took place between Duterte and Gabriela Party-List Representative Arlene Brosas as the House committee continued its inquiry into extrajudicial killings.
“Responsable kayo kasi polisiya niyo ‘yan. Kumbaga, tatak Duterte, dahil polisiya niyo rin ‘yan sa Davao. Tama ba na tawagin itong Davao model or Davao style Mr. Chair, yes or no?” Brosas asked.
“Do not ask me to answer yes or no. You are not an investigator,” Duterte responded.
Duterte denies allegations of being “lord of drug lords”
When questioned by Rep. Dan Fernandez about allegations from confessed hitman Arturo Lascañas, who called Duterte the “lord of all drug lords,” Duterte firmly denied the accusations.
“Dili ko mahimong presidente kung ganoon ako (I won’t become a president if it’s true),” Duterte said, rejecting the claim.
Screenshot photo of Rhoda Grace Saron
