Duterte calls Carpio ‘stupid’ in row over Recto Bank incident

A closer look at the damaged fantail of the Philippine fishing boat Gem-Ver 1. (Photo from the Philippine Navy)

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte called Associate Justice Antonio Carpio “stupid” after the magistrate slammed the chief executive’s handling of the Filipino boat sinking at the West Philippine Sea.

“Ang problema nito ngayon, itong mga Justice Carpio. Sabi ko nga, alam mo Justice Carpio, napaka-estupido mo. That is why hanggang diyan ka lang talaga. He’s from Davao. Basta noon pa, hindi ako bilib diyan buang na ‘yan,” Duterte said in his speech at the 122nd founding anniversary of the Presidential Security Guard.

[The problem now is people like Justice Carpio. As I said, you know, Justice Carpio, you’re very stupid. That is why that’s just how far you can go. He’s from Davao. Even then, I have never been impressed with the crazy man.]

On Tuesday night, Carpio said allowing Chinese fishermen to fish in the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the West Philippine Sea is unconstitutional.

READ: Carpio: Letting Chinese fish in EEZ violates Constitution

That was his reaction to the President’s statement that he would allow Chinese fishermen in the country’s EEZ out of friendship.

Quoting the 1987 Constitution, Carpio said: “The State shall protect the nation’s marine wealth in its … exclusive economic zone, and reserve its use and enjoyment exclusively to Filipino citizens.”

READ: Carpio ignores Duterte’s ‘name-calling’ over West Philippine Sea

(Editor: Alexander T. Magno)