President Duterte has directed the police and other state forces to ignore United Nations rapporteurs who will come to the country to look into the human rights situation.
Speaking before police officers in Davao, Mr. Duterte said the rapporteurs were not in a position to meddle into the country’s affairs, especially since it is facing a serious illegal drug problem.
“When it comes to human rights, or whoever rapporteur it is, my order to you: Do not answer. Do not bother,” he said, adding that there was no reason for the police to talk to them.
“Why would we be answering? Who are they? And who are you to interfere in the way I would run my country? You know very well that we are being swallowed by drugs,” he said.
Rights of criminals
He also slammed human rights advocates, saying they only cared about the rights of criminals.
The President’s statement came days after his spokesperson, Harry Roque, said the Philippines was open to being investigated by the United Nations, except for Agnes Callamard, its special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions.
‘Correct, Trump’
Mr. Duterte on Thursday also seemed amused by news reports quoting US President Donald Trump as saying he would like to follow the Philippine President’s example.
Trump supposedly said the Philippines did not have a drug problem “because they just kill them,” the President said.
“You are correct, Trump. You impress me. You are telling the truth,” Mr. Duterte said.
What he wants
Why wouldn’t he kill anybody who fought back, he asked.
“That’s what I want. I want you to fight back,” he said.
The President said that when he was mayor, he used to spend P1 million a year for ammunition to improve the shooting proficiency of his police and soldiers.—LEILA B. SALAVERRIA