Story highlights The Philippines is one of the world's more dangerous countries for journalists

Duterte won the election by a landslide despite series of controversial comments

(CNN) The Philippines' controversial president-elect has picked a new fight.

Speaking at a press conference to unveil his new cabinet Tuesday, Rodrigo Duterte said journalists killed on the job in the Philippines were often corrupt.

"Just because you're a journalist you are not exempted from assassination, if you're a son of a bitch," Duterte said. "Freedom of expression cannot help you if you have done something wrong," he added.

His comments were a response to a question about how to protect press freedom after a crime reporter was shot dead in Manila on Friday.

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) was quick to blast the leader for his "appalling" comments.

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