During his speech to Filipino workers in Jerusalem on Sunday, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte apologized for calling Barack Obama a "son of a wh*re" four years ago, but refused to admit to any wrongdoing in 'joking' about rape in the Philippines.
"It would be appropriate also to say at this time that, Mr. Obama, you're a civilian, I am sorry for uttering those words. It was plain 'talkatese' or so like yours," Duterte said, referring to his stern language towards the former US President.
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At the same time, he described Obama as a "cold" person who was "always at a distance," adding that the current US president Donald Trump is his "good friend."
In 2016, Duterte warned then-US president Obama against questioning his extrajudicial drug-war-related killings of alleged criminals.
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"You must be respectful. Do not just throw away questions and statements. Son of a wh*re, I will curse you in that forum," Duterte said, in a nod to an ASEAN summit he planned to attend at the time.
Late last week, when asked about the growing number of rape cases in his hometown of Davao, Duterte said that the situation will persist "as long as there are many beautiful women."
"Who agrees to do it on the first request anyway? Will the woman allow it? No. Nobody agrees to do it on the first try. That is rape," Duterte noted.