‘Empty-headed,’ Duterte calls UN human rights chief
President Duterte Tuesday unleashed a profanity-laced rant against the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al-Hussein who had suggested he needed a psychiatrist, saying the Jordanian prince was empty-headed.
The President hit out at the UN human rights chief, ignoring recent official advice to restrain his anger amid government negotiations for the acquisition of helicopters from Jordan.
Speaking a visit to Oriental Mindoro, Duterte said: "Sabi ng psychiatrist sa akin, 'Okay ka man, Mayor. Pala- mura ka lang. Either mayabang ka o talagang bastos ka. So on both counts, yes. Pero ‘yung nag-criticize sa iyo, sabihin mo rin sa kanya na parang tingin ko, walang laman 'yung ulo niya [The psychiatrist told me, 'You're okay mayor. You're just fond of cursing. Either you're arrogant or rude, so on both counts, yes. But tell the person who criticized you, that he has an empty mind]," he added.
Duterte admitted that he has been advised to refrain from commenting on the remarks of Zeid but wanted to hit back.
“Look, you have a big head but it’s empty. There is no grey matter between your ears. It’s hollow. It’s empty. It cannot even sustain a nutrient for your hair to grow' kasi ubos naman ‘yang buhok niya dito [because his hair is gone]," he said.
Zeid had said earlier the President needed a psychiatric evaluation following his attacks against some UN officials critical of his brutal drug war. He said it was disgraceful that the President would use the "foulest of language" after the government accused a UN rapporteur of alleged connections with communist terrorists.
Malacañang has hit back at the UN rights chief's suggestion that Duterte might be mentally unwell, saying it was a diplomatic affront. It reminded Zeid to respect duly-elected leaders of sovereign nations.
The President, meantime, said his critics are dreaming if they thought he could be thrown in jail over the drug war.
The International Criminal Court had earlier said preliminary inquiry into the alleged crimes committed in the drug war would continue despite the Philippines' pullout from the tribunal.
Duterte, however, insisted that the ICC would never acquire jurisdiction over him since its founding treaty is not considered a valid law in the country.
"Kaya dreaming kayo ipakulong ninyo ako. Magalit ang NPA sa inyo. ‘Di ba, pards? [You're dreaming if you think you can jail me. The NPA (New People's Army) will get angry with you. Right, partners?]," he said.