Duterte says he will ‘whack’ UN observer in the head

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has blasted the United Nations as “stupid” for criticizing his controversial war on illegal drugs that has claimed over 1,000 lives.

Duterte warned the global body not to interfere in the nation’s affairs and reconfirmed his will to continue waging war against drugs and crime when he spoke at the 115th police-service anniversary at the Philippine National Police headquarters in Manila, Wednesday, according to AFP.

“Here comes the U.N., easily swayed, and coming with a very stupid proposition,” Duterte said. “Why would the United Nations be so easily swayed into interfering in the affairs of this republic? There are only 1,000 (killed).”

He said the U.N. was silent on the massive killings happening in some regions.

“Take for example in the Middle East,” Duterte said. “I have yet to see the U.N. complaining publicly, even not criticizing countries who are into bombing villages and communities, killing everybody there, including the goats and the cows and the dogs.”

Duterte rose to power on a promise to wage war on illegal drugs and other crimes. According to the nation’s largest broadcaster, ABS-CBN, 1,054 people have been killed since the May elections. Duterte also has been urging police to shoot drug suspects who resist arrest.

In June, U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon condemned Duterte over the killings and said they were “illegal and a breach of fundamental rights and freedoms.”

But when asked about the possibility of the U.N. sending observers to the Philippines, Duterte responded: “While I really do not know who’s going to come here for that, I am going to whack him in the head.” (The Korea Times)