Duterte hits Iceland over human rights probe: 'You don’t understand PH problems'

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 12)—President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday slammed Iceland for sponsoring at the United Nations Human Rights Council a resolution calling for a probe into the human rights situation in the Philippines.

The resolution was formally adopted Thursday at the 41st regular session of the council in Geneva. Of the 47 member-states, 18 voted in favor of conducting an investigation into the Philippines' drug war.

Duterte criticized the European country for the move, saying that it does not understand the “social, economic, and political problems” of the Philippines.

“Hindi maintindihan ng mga p***** i*** to, na may problema tayo. Iceland, ano ang problema ng Iceland? Ice lang,” Duterte said in a speech during the 28th anniversary celebration of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.

[Translation: They do not understand that we have a problem. What’s the problem of Iceland? Just ice.]

“That's your problem, you have too much ice. And there is no clear day or night there,” he added.

The chief executive then explained the drug situation in the country, noting how majority of village councilors and some mayors are linked to the illegal drug trade.

“You can understand why there is no crime, there is no policemen either… They don't understand the social, economic, political problems of the Philippines.”

Duterte earlier said he may consider allowing human rights group to conduct a probe, if investigators “state their purpose.”

Taking things to Twitter, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teddyboy Locsin says that the probe will not be allowed.

"Any probe resulting from the narrow vote for Iceland resolution will not be allowed into the Philippines... Never from people who don't shower at least once daily & likely on cartel payroll," the nation's top diplomat said.

Locsin said he preferred international cooperation on the drug war with Russia or the United States Drug Enforcement Administration.

His position, he added, was "f***ing final."