Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 17) – President Rodrigo Duterte told former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV that he is ready to be arrested after an International Criminal Court prosecutor found a “reasonable basis” that crimes against humanity were committed in the administration’s war on drugs.
“Bakit mo ako takutin mag-preso? If it is my destiny that ma-preso ako, eh di ma-preso ako,” Duterte said during his weekly national address on late Wednesday.
[Translation: Why threaten me of going to jail? If it is my destiny to go to jail, then so be it.]
The President made the statement after Trillanes on Tuesday said that Duterte “cannot get away” from the ICC.
“Duterte may try to ignore the jurisdiction of ICC over him, but deep inside he knows that he cannot get away from this one,” said Trillanes in a Twitter post. “Having profiled Duterte, I am sure nanginginig na ‘yan sa takot. (I’m sure he is already shaking out of fear).”
Mocking Trillanes, the Chief Executive said he is not afraid to go behind bars and is willing to fight for his principles till the end.
“May napakulong ka ba, Trillanes? Sino? Sinong napakulong mo? Nandiyan pa rin sila,” said Duterte. “Ako, wala akong pinakulong. Pero wala na sila.”
[Translation: Have you sent anyone to jail, Trillanes? Who? Who are they? They are still around. I did not send anyone to jail, but they are not around anymore.]
“Hindi ako natatakot…. Ako, magpakamatay ako sa prinsipyo ko,” he added.
[Translation: I’m not afraid…I will die for my principles.]
The office of ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda is expected to decide by the first half of 2021 whether to seek formal investigation into the alleged extrajudicial killings in the country.
It said it has found basis that murder, torture, and other crimes against humanity were present in the government’s anti-illegal drug campaign during Duterte’s first three years.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque earlier said that the ICC will reject probe in the drug war as the country will not recognize any investigation by the international body.
Duterte has always said that he is ready to face charges in light of the government’s bloody drug crackdown.
