Pres. Duterte Threatens to Pull Out Philippines from U.N.

DAVAO, Philippines (AP) — The Philippines’ brash-talking president threatened Sunday to withdraw his country from the United Nations and lashed out at U.S. police killings of black men in his latest outburst against critics of his anti-drug campaign, which has left hundreds of suspects dead.

President Rodrigo Duterte pointed to the haunting image of a bloodied child being pulled from the rubble of a missile-struck building in the Syrian city of Aleppo to note the inability of the U.S. and the U.N. to stop such deadly conflicts, complaining that he comes under fire for the killings of criminals.

The U.S. State Department and two U.N. human rights experts have urged Duterte and Filipino authorities to stop extrajudicial killings in the fight against illegal drugs and ensure law enforcement compliance with international human rights obligations. Philippine police say more than 500 drug suspects have been killed in gunbattles with police since Duterte was sworn in eight weeks ago.

Agnes Callamard, the new U.N. Special Rapporteur on summary executions, suggested that Philippine officials could be held liable, saying in a recent statement that “claims to fight illicit drug trade do not absolve the government from its international legal obligations and do not shield state actors or others from responsibility for illegal killings.”

Criticisms against Duterte’s crusade against a problem that he says has become a pandemic provoked an angry outburst from Duterte, who held a news conference after midnight Saturday that dragged on for more than two hours.

“Maybe we’ll just have to decide to separate from the United Nations. If you’re that rude, son of a bitch, we’ll just leave you,” Duterte told reporters in Davao, where he first built a reputation for his tough crime-busting style while serving as the southern city’s longtime mayor.

Duterte also belittled U.N. work in the Philippines without providing facts, raising questions, for example, about the performance of the world body’s agency that fights hunger.

If the Philippines breaks off from the U.N. — which Duterte called “inutile” and “stupid” — he said he would invite other countries like China and African nations to form a new international body. The U.N., he said, should return Manila’s financial contributions.

“Look at the iconic boy that was taken out from the rubble and he was made to sit in the ambulance and we saw it,” Duterte said, referring to the photo of a 5-year-old Syrian boy, Omran Daqneesh, that has gone viral online.

“Why is it that United States is not doing anything? I do not read you,” Duterte said. “Anybody in that stupid body complaining about the stench there of death?”

When asked about the possible repercussions of his remarks, Duterte replied: “I don’t give a shit about them. They are the ones interfering.”

Duterte wondered whether U.N. officials were threatening to put him in prison and repeated that he was ready to sacrifice his life and presidency for his country.

Reacting to U.S. criticisms, Duterte cited the string of shootings involving police and black men that have sparked protests in the U.S.

“Why are you Americans killing the black people there, shooting them down when they are already on the ground?” he asked. “Answer that question, because even if it’s just one or two or three, it is still human rights violations.

“Duterte’s drug crackdown has left more than 500 suspected dealers dead and more than 4,400 arrested since he took office on June 30. Nearly 600,000 people have surrendered to authorities, hoping to avoid getting killed. The arrests have further overwhelmed the Philippines’ overcrowded jails.

 

74th MAYWOOD BATAAN DAY 2016

The Consulate General of the Philippines would like to invite the Filipino-American community in the Midwest and the general public to attend the 74th Annual Memorial Service of the Maywood Bataan Day at the Veterans Memorial, Maywood Park, located at First Avenue and Oak Street, Maywood, Illinois, on Sunday, 11 September 2016, at 3:00 p.m.

Participation is free and open to the public.

Featured in this affair were those who fought for freedom and liberty in the Philippine Campaign of World War II. The event aims to pay tribute to thousands of Filipino and American soldiers who displayed extraordinary gallantry and courage beyond the call of duty in defending Bataan and Corregidor in 1942. This day also honors the achievements of Filipino and American veterans and recognizes the sacrifices they have made and the heroism they have displayed.

The Consulate General of the Philippines strongly supports the Maywood Bataan Day Organization (MBDO) in its aim of preserving the memory of the defense of Bataan and perpetuating the observance of Maywood’s Bataan Day. MBDO’s mission also includes supporting veterans of all wars and providing educational resources through its archives and website (www.mbdo.org).

Preceding the service will be the playing of patriotic music, beginning at 2:30 pm, as well as color guards from various Veteran Groups and guest speakers. The Filipino community’s attendance will surely be appreciated by Maywood residents and Veterans organizations.

For more information, please contact the Consulate General’s Cultural Officer, Anna Liza F. Alcantara, at telephone no. (312) 583-0621, or email the Consulate at chicagopcg@att.net.

 

PH Movie HAMOG CHICAGO PREMIERE

Sunday, September 25, 2:00 PM @ Wilmette Theatre Directed by: Ralston Jover Starring: Teri Malvar, Zaijan Jaranilla, Samuel Quintana ad Bon Lentejas

Unexpected events in their daily routine of crime and survival in the busy streets of Manila lead to dramatic changes for a gang of street kids. Performed by the talented young cast with Teri Malvar (15-yr-old) winning the Best Actress Award at the Moscow International Film Festival 2016, “the film lays bare the sad reality of an ill-ridden society but also offers some hope for the future”. The Director also won the Russian Film Critics’ Jury for the Best Film award.

The film is included in Asian Pop-Up Cinema’s Season III Contemporary Asian Film Festival running from September 17 to December 4th, 2016

Q & A Sessions with Visiting Directors will be moderated by “Cinema Slapdown” Host Ron Falzone.

Ten ticketed screenings take place at AMC River East 21, 322 E. Illinois St., Chicago, or at the Wilmette Theatre, 1122 Central Ave., Wilmette.