Photo credit: SMNI Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte expressed his strong opposition to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and asserted that it has no jurisdiction over him.

"You know, the ICC has been around for a long time, even when I was still a mayor. I don't give a shit whether they come in; for me, they have no jurisdiction. We are not part of the ICC; we have already withdrawn. They insist that there is a case that could warrant my arrest. Then let them try to arrest me. I would like to see that. I don't want Filipino police or the NBI to come before me. I want the ICC itself. They should bring their warrant papers, whoever that [expletive] may be, because when they hand it to me, I will make them eat it," he said.

Duterte's comments reflect his long-standing defiance towards the ICC, which has been investigating allegations of human rights abuses during his tenure as mayor of Davao City and later as president.

Despite the Philippines' withdrawal from the ICC in 2019, the court has continued its inquiries, leading to heightened tensions between the former president and international legal bodies.