‘I will arrest you’, Duterte tells ICC chief prosecutor

manila — President Rodrigo Duterte threatened Friday to arrest the International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor, who is probing his deadly drug war, telling her to stay away from the Philippines.

Fatou Bensouda launched a preliminary investigation in February into allegations that Filipino police were murdering thousands of drug suspects, prompting Manila last month to withdraw from the Hague-based tribunal.

“What is your authority now? If we are not members of the treaty... you cannot exercise any proceedings here without basis,” Duterte told a news conference in his southern home city of Davao. “That is illegal and I will arrest you,” he added, according to official transcripts.

Philippine police say they have killed roughly 4,000 drug suspects who fought back during arrest.

You, Ms Fatou, do not come here because I will bar you.” Duterte, Philippine President

Rights groups claim the actual number is three times higher, accusing authorities of murder.

In the face of widespread international criticism of its drugs war, Manila has described its withdrawal from the ICC as a “principled stand against those who would politicise and weaponise human rights”.

The ICC has urged Manila to reconsider its decision, while warning that the move does not prevent the tribunal from continuing its investigation into the killings.

“You, Ms Fatou, do not come here because I will bar you,” Duterte said. —