Duterte clears name before Israeli businessmen

JERUSALEM, Israel — President Duterte defended himself from the controversial issues he is involved in as he clarified that he is pro-life but is against banditry.

President Rodrigo Duterte

In his speech before Israeli businessmen in a forum in the Holy Land Tuesday afternoon (Israel time), Duterte cautioned that his remarks may seem redundant, but he wants Israelis to get to know the country a little better.

Value and sanctity of life

Duterte started off by noting the long-standing relationship between the Philippines and Israel when the former accepted refugees during the Holocaust and when the latter assisted during the Marawi siege.

“I do not want you to feel that I am repeating a redundant statement. But you know little about what we are as a country and however humble it may be, the Philippines, the Philippine Republic has stood by your side in your critical years,” Duterte said.

“And in the same manner that you were around during the times of our despair and needs,” he added.

The President also reaffirmed his belief in God, saying he values life but will never let terrorists destroy peace in the country.

“I’m baptized. I’m Christian. I believe in the value and sanctity [of life]. But for the life of me, I cannot tolerate banditry,” Duterte said.

Duterte also told the Israeli businessmen that his job as president is difficult especially when firearms can be readily available.

“It is not easy to be president of a country with a million loose firearms,” he said.

Drug war

The President also mentioned the preliminary examination launched by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on the killings under his bloody war against illegal drugs. Duterte reiterated his stand that the ICC will never have jurisdiction over him.

“You idiot, you can never acquire jurisdiction over my person,” he said.

Duterte also mentioned that the Rome Statute which formed the ICC, even if it was ratified by Congress, does not apply to the Philippines as it was never published in the Official Gazette, a requirement stated in the Constitution before a law should take effect.

He explained to the Israeli businessmen that he cannot allow illegal drugs to thrive in the Philippines as it reduces the people to slaves.

Attracting businessmen

To attract the Israeli businessmen to invest in the country, Duterte said that he is trying his best to stop corruption in government, one of the promises he made when he campaigned in the 2016 polls.

SOURCE: MANILA BULLETIN

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