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5 outrageous comments made by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte in the past

Apart from calling US President Barack Obama "son of a whore", the Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has a history of making other controversial remarks.

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Rodrigo Duterte, President of Philippines
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Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte called US President Barack Obama a "son of a whore" on Monday and vowed not to be lectured by the US leader on human rights during a scheduled meeting in Laos that was later cancelled.

The acid-tongued Duterte was angry about warnings he would face questioning by Obama over a 'war on drugs' in the Philippines that has claimed more than 2400 lives in just over two months. Duterte also used vulgar language to accuse his domestic critics of wanting to please the United States. The White House on Tuesday cancelled the meeting between Obama and Duterte.

However, this is not the first time that Duterte has made outrageous comments. In fact, he has been known for a while for being irresponsible with his words. Even before he was elected President, he was criticised for remarks that were nothing short of brash.

1. Comment on a gang rape at the 1989 Davao hostage situation

In the 1989 hostage situation in Philippines, 16 prison escapees of Davao Penal Colony held 15 members of a Protestant group hostage. Speaking on the brutal rape and murder of Australian missionary Jacqueline Hamill, Duterte said, "I was angry she was raped, yes that was one thing. But she was so beautiful, I think the mayor should have been first. What a waste."

The mayor he mentioned was actually himself. Although he received widespread criticism globally, he refused to apologise for his comment.

2. Refusing to meet UN chief Ban ki-Moon

​The 'war on drugs' under the Duterte administration and the extrajudicial killings and human rights violations in Philippines evoked criticism by the United Nations. This antagonised ​Duterte, prompting him to call the institution "useless". He also even threatened to pull the Philippines out of the UN. According to Business Standard, Duterte refused to meet Ban ki-Moon at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit, saying he had "no time".

3. "Pope, son of a whore, go home"

When Pope Francis had visited Manila in 2015, he did not escape Duterte's exemplary vocabulary either.

“It took us five hours to get from the hotel to the airport. I asked who was coming. They said it was the Pope. I wanted to call him: ‘Pope, son of a whore, go home. Don’t visit anymore,’” Duterte said during a campaign speech. Duterte later said, he had not intended on attacking the Pope and his anger was directed at the Government for poor handling of traffic.

4. “I don’t care about human rights, believe me”

Waging a violent 'war on drugs' as President Duterte had promised prior to being elected, 2400 people have been reportedly killed in just over two months. However, questions have been raised about what is more harmful for Philippines, the drugs or the killings in the name of drugs. According to an official statement released by the Presidential palace, he said, "I don't care about human rights, believe me." 

5. Comment on the South China Sea

Warning of "bloody" confrontation over the South China Sea with China if they invaded into the Filipino territory, Duterte said he would jet ski into the conflicted South China Sea region and plant the flag of Philippines.

(With Agency Inputs)

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