Philippine President Duterte: "I Take Full Responsibility for the 'War on Drugs'"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hyowon] Rodrigo Duterte, the President of the Philippines, declared that he will take full responsibility for the 'war on drugs.' It is reported that over 6,000 people have died during Duterte's presidency in the Philippines due to the war on drugs.

According to foreign media on the 23rd, President Duterte said in a speech at an event hosted by the Anti-Guerrilla Task Force on the night of the 21st, "If there is anyone who should go to prison (in relation to the war on drugs), it should be me," adding, "I take full responsibility."

Duterte's remarks came a day after the Philippine Department of Justice announced plans to re-examine the circumstances surrounding the deaths of thousands of suspects during the war on drugs.

Since his inauguration in July 2016, President Duterte launched a large-scale crackdown on drug crimes, which resulted in over 6,000 deaths and drew international criticism for human rights violations.

With Duterte's term ending in May next year, the ICC approved a request from a prosecutor last month on the 15th to formally investigate the war on drugs as a crime against humanity.

Regarding this, President Duterte reportedly added, according to EFE news agency, "The court that should try me must be a Philippine court." This is interpreted as a refusal to appear before the ICC tribunal.

Meanwhile, President Duterte reiterated his strong determination to crack down on drug offenders. In his speech, he said, "Let me say it again. If you sell drugs to the youth and destroy this country and its young people, you are destroying the future," adding, "If you destroy this country, I will kill you."