Duterte on ICC :"cannot acquire jurisdiction over me, not in a million years.”

The President of the Republic of the Philippines has been called out by both local and foreign human rights group for his brutal policy on the war against illegal drugs.

In a recent speech during the 10th Filipina Entrepreneurship Summit at the World Trade Center in Pasay City, early this week reiterates his desire to clean the country with illegal drugs- a simple campaign promise in 2016 , the President now calls it his solemn promise he has made for his country.

A few weeks back it was reported that the International Criminal Court will starts its preliminary investigation, it was triggered when Filipino lawyer  Jude Sabio last April of 2017 accused the President and some other government officials committing crimes against humanity thru the government’s policy war on drugs. *

Prs. Duterte (photo credit to owner)
 

Whether human rights will believe or not, it is not my business to do with their biddings. I have a duty to perform and worse, I made it a solemn promise,” Duterte said.

“Do not destroy it because I will kill you. Do not put to naught my toil and destroy the young of my country because I will really kill you,” he said.

The President reiterates again that he will not allow drugs and all those who profit from it to destroy the next generation of Filipinos.

Also, during the oath taking rites of Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) officials at Malacanang Palace, the President  said ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda “cannot acquire jurisdiction over me, not in a million years.”

That’s why I’m not answering. That’s true. I don’t want to say that has always been my weapon ever since. Don’t believe them. They cannot ever, ever hope to acquire jurisdiction over my person,” he said.

Two weeks ago Malacañang announced that the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) will start its preliminary investigation on the alleged extrajudicial killings linked to the anti-drug campaign of the Duterte administration.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque clarified that a preliminary examination only aims to collect and verify information to determine if there is “reasonable basis” to go on with a preliminary investigation. *

“It is a lawful use of force and therefore, we submit likewise on the merits the element of directing an attack against civilian populations is simply lacking,” Roque said in defending the governments stand on the war on drugs, maintaining its legal and lawful police operations.

Report from  PNA