Duterte orders cops to ignore human rights investigators

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte Rodrigo has justified his order for the police to ignore human rights investigators, saying he was protecting law enforcers from incriminating themselves.

Duterte, whose war on illegal drugs has drawn flak here and abroad for statements deemed to encourage summary executions, said the best way to answer the questions of
investigators is to remain silent.

"You know, they say they are investigating us. My God, you fools, if you are investigating us, the rule in criminal law is any statement or answer that you may give might incriminate you," the president said during a meeting with soldiers in Zamboanga City last Saturday.

"If you answer their questions, it will be freewheeling, it is recorded. If you are called there, you are bound by whatever you say. So the best way is to just keep
silent. Just tell them 'We have a Commander-in-Chief.' Haven't I told you? I take full responsibility?" he added.

Duterte claimed that his order is allowed under the Philippine Constitution.

"They (human rights groups) got angry because the advise is 'do not answer questions from them.' And that is for a reason, legal. That is provided for in the
Constitution itself," the president said. 

"That's why I said: 'Leave it to me.' If these fools come here, are there crocodiles here? The ones that are really eating people? Throw those sons of b****** to
them," he added.  

Duterte said investigators would see several loopholes from the statements of police authorities "because we are not situated in the same situation or similarly situated at one time."

"It's (going to) be convoluted...Then that places us in jeopardy. They will see many loopholes. But if you shut up, just say 'Duterte ordered it.' 'Destroy the organization.' So what's wrong with that? Can I not protect my country by killing people and destroying apparatus?" he added.

Earlier this month, Duterte instructed the police not to entertain representatives of the United Nations who will come to the country to probe the killings linked to his controversial crackdown on illegal drugs. Duterte said the UN human rights rapporteurs do not have the right to interfere with the way he is running the Philippines.

He also stressed that his war on narcotics would continue until he steps down from office.

Testy relationship with international bodies

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein criticized Duterte for issuing the order, saying the Philippine government "has a duty to uphold human rights and to engage with persons appointed" as a member of the UN Human Rights Council and a signatory to several treaties.

Duterte issued the directive a month after the International Criminal Court announced that it would conduct a preliminary examination of his anti-drug campaign.

The ICC's move was in response to a communication by lawyer Jude Sabio, who claimed that Duterte was behind the death of more than 1,400 people in Davao City, where the president served as mayor for 23 years. He also alleged that the war on illegal drugs, one of Duterte's campaign promises, has left more than 7,000 drug suspects dead. Sabio is the lawyer of Edgar Matobato, who claimed to be a former member of a death squad with alleged ties with Duterte.

Duterte has expressed confidence that he would not be tried by the ICC because "not in a million years" would the ICC have jurisdiction over him.

The president instructed government forces to continue running after drug offenders and assured them of legal protection. He reiterated that he is ready to go to jail over his clampdown on illegal drugs, a problem that he said has contaminated more than four million Filipinos.

"Just (perform your duty) within the bounds of the law. I did not ask you to shoot those fools from behind or kill them when they are already on their knees. What I'm saying is to destroy. There's (going to be) a fight. And if somebody dies, they asked for it," Duterte said.

"It is to your protection. I can take care of myself. Do not worry. I will allow myself to be imprisoned. I don't have problem with that. Just do not answer officially."