Duterte referring to ICC when he said he will refuse questions from Caucasians: Panelo

July 18, 2019

President Rodrigo Duterte was referring to the International Criminal Court (ICC) when he said he will not answer to any Caucasian questioning his war on drugs, according to Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo on Thursday.

Panelo said Duterte is not referring to the Iceland resolution that was adopted by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHCR).

“It refers to the ICC case because at ICC, it can bring someone subject of any complaint or charge on the International Court. He will not allow that, he will only allow a Philippine court to try him, under a Filipino judge and a Filipino prosecutor,” he said.

Panelo reiterated Duterte’s belief that the country's justice system is working.

On the interpretation Duterte is afraid of the international court, Panelo said the president is only telling them they are not lucky enough to assault the country’s sovereignty.

“No. What he is saying is, “Do you think you are lucky?” From the very start we said, “You’re assaulting our sovereignty. You cannot do that.” First of all, we are not even a member of that… international court,” he said.

The Philippines left the ICC last March 2019 following the tribunal’s launch of preliminary examination into Duterte's alleged crimes against humanity.

On Wednesday, Duterte said he would rather face a death penalty in the Philippines than undergo an international trial.

"Look, as I have told you before, ladies and gentlemen of the world, including...and all the governments there, I will only face a - be tried or face a trial in a Philippine court presided by a Philippine - Filipino judge, prosecuted by a Filipino," he said in an interview.

He said Congress can even reimpose the death penalty, which could be meted out to him.

"I will not answer a Caucasian asking questions, or white man there. You must be stupid. Who are you? I am a Filipino, we have our courts here. Why would you have to bring me somewhere else. I would not like that. I have my country," Duterte added. Ella Dionisio/DMS