Extrajudicial killings stopping Duterte from visiting US

MANILA, Philippines — A week after saying that his visit to the United States was just a matter of “scheduling,” President Duterte stressed that he could not go to Washington to seek aid because of the extrajudicial killings that are being blamed on him.

Duterte noted that a firearms deal with an American firm was canceled because of protests over the deaths tied to his war on illegal drugs. 

“I cannot go to America, I am not sure America would be ready for that. The past Congress (had to) ask for permission to go to war,” the President said. 

In 2016, the US State Department stopped the sale of some 26,000 rifles to the Philippine National Police after Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin expressed concern over the human rights record of the Duterte regime. 

The US under former president Barack Obama had repeatedly expressed concern over the killings tied to Duterte’s brutal crackdown on narcotics. More than 4,000 have died since the campaign was launched two years ago. 

Duterte has lambasted the US, the Philippines’ traditional ally, for allegedly interfering with the way he runs the government and accused Obama of shaming him before the international community. 

Duterte noted that Canada also scrapped a helicopter deal for fear that his administration would use it against civilians.  

“They (Canada) will sell it to us but we cannot arm them because we cannot use it against the civilians of my country,” he said. 

The President has called Canada “stupid” for canceling the $233-million helicopter deal. 

Because of the refusal of the US and Canada to provide defense equipment, Duterte said he would turn to China, which is embroiled in a territorial row with the Philippines over parts of the South China Sea. 

“Who will I turn to? Can I call immediately with the flip of my finger? Canada? NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)? (US President Donald) Trump said it’s no longer operational,” the President said. 

“Where’s my immediate (ally)? Where do I get the rockets? Where do I get the thing there? China. No one else,” he added. 

Duterte joked about befriending reclusive North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, whom he described as “crazy” like him.  

“Unless I go to a state visit sa North Korea, I will just befriend him,” he said.