Shoot women rebel fighters in the genitals: Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte last week directed his soldiers to specifically target women rebel fighters by shooting them in the vagina, according to local reports.

Human rights groups have slammed Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte for encouraging violence against women.

Duterte made the remarks last Wednesday during a meeting with more than 200 former communist rebels who have surrendered, including 48 women.

In his speech, Duterte talked about female fighters and said that soldiers should “shoot their vaginas” because “without that, they are useless.”

New York-based Human Rights Watch noted it was not the first time that Duterte has made “misogynist, derogatory and demeaning statements” about women.

“It encourages state forces to commit sexual violence during armed conflict, which is a violation of international humanitarian law,” it said.

Last month, Duterte came under fire for saying he would offer 42 virgins to attract tourists to visit the country.

In May last year, he told soldiers he would protect them against criminal charges even if they rape three women while implementing martial law in the southern region of Mindanao.