“Even if I wanted to, I can not kill them all”, Duterte said of his country’s criminals. “You’re doing it in atonement for your sins, ‘” Duterte said Tuesday night.
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In the latest outburst, the tough-talking leader accused the European Union of harboring feelings of “guilt”, which he said has led it to become strict about the conduct of other nations. About a third of the victims were shot dead by police and the rest murdered by unidentified attackers, according to official statistics. Last month Duterte told a crowd of supporters that De Lima should commit suicide, saying, “If I were De Lima, ladies and gentlemen, I’ll hang myself”.
“You should look at history books, encyclopaedia of events. And the European Union now has the gall to condemn me”, he added.
But at the media briefing, he said: “Even if I wanted to, I can not kill them all because the last report would be this thick”, referring to a new, not yet published list of mostly public officials linked to the illegal drug trade. Duterte added, before flashing a middle finger that was met by applause from the audience.
Senator Leila De Lima has become an increasingly isolated voice since seeking to hold Duterte to account for unleashing a crackdown on narcotics in which 3,800 people have been killed since the president took office 11 weeks ago.
The controversial leader swept to power in May after promising to kill 100,000 drug dealers within six months of coming to power.
Duterte said that it is “true” that he had killed people, but it would only range to 1,004 individuals.
Duterte’s violent approach to wiping out the Philippine’s drug trade has alarmed rights groups and has been openly criticized by US President Barack Obama. “You must be respectful… Do not just throw questions”, Duterte said of Obama. I repeat it, ‘fuck you, ‘”he said. I’m telling them, ‘f*** you, ‘” Duterte said in his address. Duterte pointed to the backing by European Union member countries, in particular, the United Kingdom and France, for military campaigns in the Middle East, which have resulted in far more deaths.
While running for office Duterte promised a ruthless campaign that would suppress illegal drugs within six months.
Mr. Duterte said on Sunday he needed to extend his crime war for another six months because the drug problem was worse than he expected.
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Panelo said de Lima ” embarked on a biased and unsuccessful investigation of extrajudicial killings in Davao City, concluding that the then Davao City Mayor Duterte was behind the death squad even before she commenced her probe”.
