Duterte to jail critics who seek his impeachment

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has threatened to jail critics if they try to impeach him, as he faces accusations of defending Beijing after a boat crash in the disputed South China Sea. The issue has flared up since a Chinese fishing trawler hit and sank a Filipino boat on June 9 near Reed Bank, an area that is within Manila’s territory but which is also claimed by Beijing. After a string of small street protests, as well as criticism from opposition politicians and former officials, Duterte lashed out while talking to reporters late Thursday. “Impeach me? I will arrest all of them. I dare you to do it,” Duterte said. “I tell these stupid people, I said I deal with reality,” he added. Duterte has tried to downplay the case, calling it an “accident” and accepting Beijing’s offer to conduct a joint investigation.