Duterte rebukes ICC, labels Rome statute as 'crazy'
President Duterte has rebuked the International Criminal Court (ICC) for allegedly meddling in the country's affairs, saying it must be "crazy" for prosecuting him while domestic courts continue to function.
In a televised address Monday night, the President questioned anew the authority of the ICC to interfere with the country and attempt to put him on trial.
The office of ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda earlier found "reasonable basis to believe" that alleged crimes against humanity were committed in connection with Duterte's deadly war on drugs. Bensouda's office reportedly intends to decide on whether to seek consent from the judges to probe the Philippine situation next year.
"In the first place, why are you interfering in the affairs of my country and other countries? And who gave you the authority? By what divine law gave you the authority to --- to prosecute me in a --- in a foreign land tapos ang nakaupo puro kayo mga puti na ulol (the judges are western fools). You must be crazy," the President said.
Duterte asserted that he is prepared to jail only if the local courts would make such decision. "We have the courts here functioning. And if the courts says that I should go to jail, I will go to jail. Walang problema ‘yan (There's no problem)," he said.
Duterte defended anew his anti-drug campaign in his latest public address, saying it was a promise he made when he run for office. "I did what I embarked to do. It was an election promise," he said. "‘Pag ‘yan ang suwerte inabutan ko (If that will be my luck), so be it," he added.
Malacañang earlier said the ICC would only waste its time and money if it pursues an inquiry into the drug war since it has no jurisdiction over President Duterte.
The Philippines has already withdrawn from the Rome statute that created the ICC last year over complaints about alleged violation of due process. The pullout came after the launch of a preliminary inquiry into the drug war, which has been marred by alleged rights abuses.
The President previously said "not in a million years” would the ICC have jurisdiction to indict him.