Duterte on PHL’s expulsion from UN: Do it now

President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday dared his critics to push for the removal of the Philippines from the United Nations.

"Maybe this would suffice for the stupid European Union guys. You know, they were all focused on how many deaths... And they threatened us, they said they will have us expelled from the UN," Duterte said in a speech.

"My god. Do it, stupid. Do it now," he added during the relaunch of the New Executive Building press briefing room.

Duterte even dared the EU countries to cut their diplomatic relations with the Philippines.

"Now, the ambassadors of those countries listening now. Tell me, because we can have the diplomatic channel cut tomorrow," Duterte said.

"You leave my country in 24 hours. All. All of you. You must have taken the Filipinos for granted," he added.

Sought for comment, the Department of Foreign Affairs said it has yet to receive official word as regards Duterte's remarks.

"I was informed that as far as our relevant offices are concerned, at this time, DFA has not received any instructions on the matter," DFA spokesperson Robespierre Bolivar told GMA News Online.

The EU in its Brussels headquarters said, "The EU Delegation in the Philippines has not received any such communication."

"The Delegation continues to operate and function normally, and is committed to working constructively and productively with the Philippines for the benefit of the population," the EU told GMA News Online.

It was the New York-based Human Rights Watch on October 9 that warned that the Philippines would be at risk of being removed from the UN Human Rights Council because of alleged rights violations.

While there was no statement from the European Union calling for the Philippines’ expulsion from UN, a seven-member delegation of the Progressive Alliance and the Party of European Socialists visited the Philippines to urge the Duterte administration to “stop the killings, stop silencing dissent.”

It also warned that the Philippines would strain its trading relationships with the international community if Duterte would continue the “bloody” war on drugs.

Duterte reminded his critics that Philippines’ expulsion from UN would not be easy considering the closer ties with its non-traditional allies.

“Do you think Russia and China would allow it?” Duterte said.

Not the EU, Palace says

Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella in a statement clarified that Duterte’s rants were stemmed from the remarks of the delegation.

Palace issues clarification on Pres. Duterte's statements vs EU earlier today: pic.twitter.com/ccHLo56vty

— Trisha Macas (@trishamacas) October 12, 2017

“This delegation’s irresponsible statements protesting the alleged killings under the Duterte Administration demean our status as a sovereign nation," Abella said.

“The call of the President for EU ambassadors to leave the country in 24 hours must be taken in this light,” he added. —with a report from Michaela Del Callar/NB, GMA News