Former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte Describes ICC as “Silly Court”
RODRIGO DUTERTE – The Philippine President explained why he did not think of facing the International Criminal Court (ICC) probe during his term.
The recent appearance of former Pres. Duterte at the hearing of the House Quad Committee on his administration’s war on drugs caught the attention of countless Filipinos. Unexpectedly, at the hearing, Duterte dared the ICC to come to the Philippines the day after to start the investigation of his admin’s war on drugs.
It was under the term of former Pres. Duterte when the Philippines was pulled out from the Rome Statute. The decision was made in 2018 but the withdrawal of the country from the Hague-based court took effect in 2019.
Countless Filipinos think that it was probably the intent of the International Criminal Court to investigate the Duterte war on drugs which did not sit well with the then President. However, at the House Quad Comm hearing, the former Chief Executive denied it saying that it has nothing to do with his administration’s war on drugs.
According to former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte, the ICC allegedly failed to imprison some African leaders who supposedly committed crimes. However, the former Chief Executive did not name any specific country or leader that he was referring to.
“It’s a silly court. Walang ginawa ‘yan, wala namang nakulong, basta puro demanda lang,” Duterte said.
When asked by Cagayan de Oro 1st district Representative Lordan Suan if he ever thought of facing the International Criminal Court during his term, former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte stressed that he will not allow a foreign court to try him.
The former Chief Executive also admitted that he does not believe in the capacity of the foreign races. According to him, he would rather face a Filipino who will try him even if he does not have a lawyer and he will be sentenced to a lifetime imprisonment.
“Basta korte ng Pilipino, I will abide by it,” the former President said.
Former Pres. Duterte stressed that he will not allow a foreigner to judge him for the things that he allegedly had to do as the president of the country. At the House hearing, Duterte was caught gesturing as if he wants to hit former Senator Leila de Lima, a staunch critic of his administration’s war on drugs.