“We still have a long way to go in the fight against the spread of drugs,” he said on Monday in the almost three-hour speech. “The International Criminal Court can record this: I will kill those who destroy my country. I will kill you because I love my country ”, said the head of state and government, who after six years in office is no longer allowed to run in the 2022 election.
Near the House of Representatives in Quezon City, thousands of opponents protested Duterte’s plans to run as vice president in the vote next May. The 76-year-old obviously wants to secure further political influence and maintain political immunity in order to avoid possible criminal proceedings. “Enough is enough! Duterte’s regime has to end! ”Read banners.
The International Criminal Court is investigating alleged murders in the state “War on Drugs”. When he was elected in 2016, Duterte announced crackdown on drug criminals and threatened drug smugglers with death. According to police, at least 7,000 people have been killed in anti-drug missions since then. But human rights groups believe that the real number is much higher. According to observers, many suspects were reportedly killed out of court by death squads. Critics speak of serious human rights violations.
“We will not let him get away with mass murder and state repression,” said Cristina Palabay, general secretary of the Karapatan human rights group. “We must end Duterte’s reign of terror and hold him accountable for his crimes against the Filipino people.”