Duterte tells EU to “mind your own business”

March 20, 2017

President Rodrigo Duterte hit anew the European Union, saying it should not impose its culture or belief on the Philippines. The EU has been opposing the Duterte administration's move to revive death penalty and the bloody war against illegal drugs, as it also called for the release of Senator Leila de Lima. De Lima has been detained for her alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade inside the New Bilibid Prison when she was secretary of justice during the previous administration. "Do not impose your culture or your belief in what would be a government in this planet. Do not impose on other countries, especially us," Duterte said, noting ASEAN countries, particularly those with death penalty, such as Indonesia and Malaysia, have been a "favorite" of EU. "I'm trying to revive it (death penalty)...as if other countries of EU do not have death penalty," he said, even calling EU as "crazy." "Why are you trying to impose on us? Why don't you mind your own business?," he added. The Philippines, under the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, abolished the death penalty following pressure of the EU, among others. But when Duterte assumed office, he promised to revive the capital punishment to serve as retribution for those who committed heinous crimes. (Celerina Monte/DMS)