



Is he serious or is he just kidding?

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President Rodrigo Duterte has been known for his colorful language and flurry of expletives, which have attracted international attention.

More than a year after he assumed the presidency, INQUIRER.net looks back at the most controversial statements of Duterte this 2017, from his anger at illegal drugs, to his cursing of the European Union, to his harping on the alleged sex video of Sen. Leila de Lima, among others.

1. “I will kill more if only to get rid of drugs”

Duterte made this warning in a speech at the National Convention of Water Districts in Davao City on Feb. 2.

In his more than two years in office, Duterte has remained unfazed by criticisms and has vowed to be unforgiving in his war on drugs.

Almost all of the President’s speeches contained a threat to kill those involved in illegal drugs.

As of Nov. 27, data from the Philippine National Police showed that 3, 967 suspected drug addicts were killed in the government’s bloody war on drugs.

2. “Tell them the mayor says you are a fucking shit”

The tough-talking Duterte addressed this tirades to the European Union (EU) in a speech before the councilors’ league in Malacanang on March 30 for meddling in the internal affairs of the Philippines particularly his war on drugs.

The President has repeatedly cursed the EU for its criticisms and condemnation in his vicious campaign against illegal drugs. He has also ordered government agencies not to accept aid from EU, especially those given with conditions.

3. “Could you find me the video, let the Pope see it.”

Duterte made this remarks during a speech before the Volunteers against Crime and Corruption (VACC) Anti-Corruption Summit at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City on Nov. 28, referring to the alleged sex video of Sen. Leila de Lima with his former driver. He made the remarks after Pope Francis gave De Lima a rosary.

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De Lima is in detention at Camp Crame on drug charges. She has become one of the favorite topics of Duterte when discussing illegal drugs, even calling her at one point “immoral” for “screwing” with her driver.

4. “If you investigate me, I will slap you.”

In another expletive-laden speech, Duterte warned that he would slap United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur Agnes Callamard if she would investigate him for the alleged extrajudicial killings in the country.

He made the remarks in a speech before the Filipino community in Vietnam on Nov. 9.

Callamard, a UN rapporteur on extrajudicial killings, has earned the ire of Duterte for her criticisms on his brutal campaign against illegal drugs.

Callamard had earlier said she would want to investigate the Duterte administration’s war on drugs amid to reports of state-sponsored killings.

READ: Duterte to Callamard: ‘If you investigate me, I will slap you’

5. “Go into drugs, P-Noy, and see if I don’t behead you, you fool. Why are you saying nothing happened?”

Even former President Benigno Aquino III was not spared from the wrath of Duterte when he called Aquino a “fool” in an Aug. 3 speech at the 113th anniversary of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in Quezon City.

Aquino had commented that “it seems nothing happened” in the government’s war on drugs, saying the statistics on the number of drugs users in the country remained the same.

6. “Have pity on the Norwegian government. Just kill yourself.”

Duterte had this to say to Jose Maria Sison, the 78-year old founding chairman of the Communist Party of the Philippines, in a speech during the ceremonial turnover of financial assistance to the families of the fallen soldiers and policemen killed in Marawi City on July 25.

Duterte told Sison, a former professor of his at Lyceum of the Philippines, to kill himself as a favor to the Norwegian government, which the President claimed was paying for his medical expenses.

The word war between Duterte and Sison heated up after the peace talks with the communist rebels collapsed.

7. “If you in the police or military get into trouble in the performance of your duty, I will never allow you to be jailed.”

Duterte made this assurance as he spoke to police officers in Ozamis City on Aug. 17, a day after slain Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr. and three other family members were buried.

The President has always reiterated that police officers would have his backing and full protection if they would kill criminals in the performance of their duty.

His statements, saying he won’t allow the police to go to jail, has earned mounting criticisms, saying these remarks would only trigger more police abuses.

But the chief executive has clarified that he would allow police officers to face investigation should they abuse their authority.

8. “We remain to be the best of friends with America.”

Duterte made this assurance to the United States in a Nov. 7 speech at the 67th anniversary of the Philippine Marine Corps in Taguig City.

His remarks came a year after he said in a speech in Beijing that he would cut the decades-long alliance of the Philippines with the US.

But Duterte had since changed his tune and adopted a softer stance against Uncle Sam after US President Donald Trump won the presidency.

Duterte has always made public of his disgust against former US President Barack Obama for criticizing the government’s war on drugs.

9. “I am not your enemy.”

Duterte had this to say to reporters during a Christmas party on Dec. 12 in Malacañang.

Known for his love-hate relationship with the media, Duterte assured journalists that he was not an enemy of the press.

The President has slammed the media for what he described as biased reporting on him and on his administration.

10. “I said I don’t want to go to war and let us just be friends.”

Duterte had this to say to China in a speech on Aug. 2 at the 26th anniversary of the Bureau of Fire Protection in Quezon City.

The President made this statement as he reiterated that he would pursue a diplomatic approach in dealing with the Philippines’ maritime dispute with China in the South China Sea.

In July 2016, the Philippines won a favorable ruling made by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, upholding the Philippines’ claims to parts of the South China Sea.

Some have advised Duterte to press China and use the ruling to impose the country’s sovereignty over the disputed sea. But the President has repeatedly said he would use a “soft landing” approach to tackle the issue.

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