In his speech Tuesday night, President Rodrigo Duterte threatened that he would slap an international human rights advocate in front of Vice President Leni Robredo if the foreigner would force to enter the Philippines to help counter the bloody “war on drugs.”
Duterte is referring to Phelim Kine, director of research and investigations of Physicians for Human Rights, who suggested to the Inter-agency Committee on Anti-illegal Drugs co-chair Robredo to imprison Duterte.
“P ******** (s** of a b***h) Leni, sa harap mo sampalin ko ‘yan (I’ll slap that in front of you),” Duterte said in a press briefing at the Palace.
“I dare you, kung talagang dedicated ka, papasukin mo dito ang p********** ‘yan. Pupuntahan kita sa opisina mo, sampalin ko ‘yan sa harap mo,” the President reiterated.
(I dare you, if you are really dedicated, let that s** of a b***h enter here. I’m going to your office. I’ll slap him in front of you.)
Also read: Duterte on Robredo: ‘I cannot trust her’
Duterte tells Robredo he would slap international human rights advocate in front of her
On November 11, it was recalled that Kine said in a tweet that she was ready to go to the Philippines to help Robredo.
“Dear VP @lenirobredo – my bags are packed and I’m ready to come to the #Philippines to help advise how to end this murderous ‘drug war,'” Kine said.
Digong said he was annoyed by the statements of the former deputy director of the Asia division of Human Rights Watch; especially, he was not allowed to hear his side.
Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. and presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo also said they did not want Kine to enter the Philippines.
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra has yet to say whether Kine should be placed on the Bureau of Immigration blacklist.
“Kailangan nating pag-aralan ito nang maigi. Hindi tayo magiging maingat kung magsasalita na tayo maliban na lang kung alam na natin ang kadahilanan at parameters ng pagbisita ni Kine,” Guevarra said.
(We need to study it carefully. We will not be careful when we speak unless we know the purpose and parameters of Kine’s visit.)