WATCH: Duterte lashes out at ICC at post-disaster briefing

MANILA, Philippines — Acid-tongued President Rodrigo Duterte once again hurled a tirade at the International Criminal Court, which the Philippines is leaving and which is conducting a preliminary examination into the government’s war on drugs.

During a post-Typhoon Ompong briefing in La Trinidad, Benguet on Monday, Duterte mentioned his oft-repeated statement that “drugs destroy a country [and] children.”

“By what right do you have to harm our children? I will say that to the judge. We’ll see each other at the International Criminal Court,” he said in Filipino.

According to the website of the ICC, around three to five of the court's 18 judges handle cases, depending on the stage of the proceeding from Pre-Trial to Trial and Appeals. Appeals are handled by a panel of five judges.

The chief executive added: “Son of a b****. Who gave you the right? By what universal authority do you have to destroy our country and children?”

The International Criminal Court has jurisdiction over four crimes: Genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression.

Communications and complaints have been filed against Duterte and his officials at the office of the ICC prosecutor over deaths related to the government's campaign against illegal drugs.

Some administration officials and supporters have characterized  human rights concerns over the "war on drugs" with meddling into domestic affairs, a plot to destabilize the government, and a blanket approval of illegal drugs.

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Past tirades

It was not clear if Duterte was referring to the judges of the ICC or ICC chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda but the president had previously hurled threats and insults against her.

Last March, Duterte referred to Bensouda as “that black woman.”

In April, Duterte threatened to have the ICC chief prosecutor arrested is she goes to the Philippines to proceed with her probe.

The Philippines formally notified the United Nations of its withdrawal from the Hague-based court in March, a month after Bensouda announced the opening of a preliminary examination into the Duterte administration's alleged crimes against humanity.

The preliminary examination is not the same as a preliminary investigation and only looks into whether the ICC has jurisdiction over the case.

The Palace had initially welcomed the opening of the preliminary examination, saying it was an opportunity for the government to address issues surrounding the anti-illegal drugs campaign. — Gaea Katreena Cabico