Malacañang has downplayed the outrage against President Rodrigo Duterte’s “shoot in the vagina” remark against female members of the New People’s Army (NPA), noting that the public should already know by now the Chief Executive’s way of talking.

On Tuesday, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque reminded the public: “Alam niyo po, matapos ang isang taon at kalahati, dapat kakilala na natin ang Presidente. Paulit-ulit kong sinasabi, do not take the President literally but take him seriously.”

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(You know, after a year and a half, we should already be familiar with the President. I am saying this over and over again, do not take the President literally but take him seriously.)

“Ang mensahe po ng Presidente dahil wala na nga pong pagkakataon na magkaroon ng peace talks dahil puro katraydoran naman ang pinakita ng mga CPP [Communist Party of the Philippines]-NPA, eh asahan niyo po na tayo po ay papasok sa digmaan muli sa NPA, at tayo po ay magwawagi,” Roque also said in a press briefing in Tabuk City, Kalinga.

(The President’s message is since there is no longer a chance for the peace talks because the CPP-NPA just show betrayal, expect that we will return to war against the NPA, and we will win.)

Speaking in front of more than 200 former rebels in Malacañang, Duterte said: “‘Naay babae? Unsa man, nakagunit og armas?’ ‘Sir, fighter gyud. Amazona.’ ‘Pusila sa bisong arong di na …’ (‘Are there any women holding guns?’ ‘Sir, she’s a fighter. An amazon.’ ‘Shoot her in the vagina’),” Duterte said, drawing laughter from the audience.

Women’s group Gabriela condemned the “nasty” remarks, saying that he “openly encourages violence against women.”

READ: Gabriela hits Duterte’s ‘shoot in the vagina’ remark

“Duterte’s latest nasty remark openly encourages violence against women, contributes to the impunity on such, and further confirms himself as the most dangerous macho-fascist in the government right now,” Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Emmi De Jesus said.

“He has further presented himself as the epitome of misogyny and fascism terribly rolled in one,” she added.

Roque said that if Duterte disrespects women, the Chief Executive should have not had ordered the ban in deployment of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to Kuwait.

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“Dahil kung ang Presidente po ay labag sa kapakanan ng mga kababaihan ay hindi po niya dapat ipinag-uutos yung pagtigil ng deployment ng ating mga kababayan sa Kuwait, dahil ang mga nabibiktima po sa Kuwait, karamihan po ay mga kababaihan natin,” Roque explained.

(Because if the President violates the rights of women, he should not have had ordered the ban in the deployment of our people to Kuwait, because most of those abused in that country are our women.)

Roque said that the totl deployment ban to Kuwait only proved that Duterte promotes the interest not just of the Filipinos, but the women.

“’Yung kanyang order po na itigil na yan maski tayo mawawalan ng kita, ayan po ay isang paghihiwatig at pruweba na inuuna ng ating presidente na interes ay hindi lang ang mga Pilipino, kundi lalo na ang mga kababaihan, hindi dapat binabastos, hindi dapat inaapi, dapat po ginagalang,” he said.

(His order, even though we will lose profits from it, it is a proof that the President prioritizes interest not just of the Filipinos but also of the women, who should not be abused and disrespected, but should be honored.) /kga

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