22 July, 2017
Although Mr. McGovern recognized the good ties between Manila and Washington, he said the USA can not tolerate the alarming number of human rights violations in the Philippines resulting from the drug war.
Human rights groups say numerous deaths were executions by police, an assertion the authorities reject.
This came after a bipartisan caucus in the US House of Representatives conducted a hearing on the "human rights effect of the "war on drugs" now underway in the Philippines".
Meanwhile, four European Union lawmakers visiting the Philippines spoke of their concern over the "recent deterioration" of human rights in the country. The Filipino leader turned down an invitation to the White House on July 21, 2017.
Duterte asked, "What makes that guy think I'm going to America?"
Duterte vowed he will never visit "lousy" America in his remaining time as president, or even afterward.
Duterte's spokesman said in April that Trump had invited the Philippine president in a telephone call to visit the White House, sparking protests from human rights activists, who asked the American leader not to welcome a leader accused of human rights violations and of condoning extrajudicial killings.
During a congressional hearing on Thursday, lawmaker James McGovern threatened to lead a protest should Duterte take up U.S. President Donald Trump's invitation to the White House.
In October 2016, while on a trip to China, Duterte made global headlines when he announced the Philippines' "realignment" with China, and "separation" from long-time ally America.
"I've seen America and it's lousy.it would be good for the US Congress to start with their own investigation of their own violations of the so many civilians killed in the prosecution of the wars in the Middle East", he added.
Duterte has also imposed martial law across the southern island of Mindanao following an attack by terrorists on Marawi City in May.
"Otherwise I would be forced to investigate you also".
"A man with the human rights record of Mr. Duterte should not be invited to the White House".
A leaked transcript obtained by The New York Times backed that up, quoting Trump commending Duterte for his "unbelievable job on the drug problem".
