DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has no plans of responding to a letter sent to him by Commission on Human Rights (CHR) chair Loretta Rosales regarding his declaration against rice smugglers.
“Talk to my lawyer,†was Duterte’s reaction, as he refused to dignify the CHR letter.
Rosales said the CHR might conduct an investigation and review legalities regarding events involving Duterte. She said the fact-finding investigation might lead to the filing of charges, if warranted by facts and law.
The mayor said he stands by his belief that there was nothing wrong with his threat to use lethal force against rice smugglers should they continue their illegal trade within his turf.
Duterte said Bureau of Internal Revenue chief Kim Henares sought his help in addressing the rampant rice smuggling at the Davao port, which appeared to be the “weakest link†in the supposed revenue collection on imported items.