President Rodrigo Duterte threatened to curse US President Barack Obama if he asks about the killings in the Philippines, adding that asking him such a question would be a sign of disrespect towards him and the Filipinos.
“You must be respectful. You just don’t throw a question and statements. Putangina. Mumurahin kita sa forum na ‘yan (Mother-whore, I’ll curse you in that forum),” Duterte told the media before he left for Vientiane, Laos on Monday afternoon, September 5.
Duterte was set to participate in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Leaders’ Summit from September 6 to 8 in Laos.
“The Philippines is not a vassal state. We have long ceased to be a colony of the United States,” Duterte said, referring to reports that Obama may talk to him about the extra-judicial killings in the country.
Duterte and Obama were set to meet for bilateral talks on September 6 at the sidelines of the ASEAN Leaders’ Summit.
“I do not respond to anybody but to the people of the Republic of the Philippines. Wala akong pakialam sa kanya (I don’t care about him). Who is he?” Duterte added.
He also brought up how the US was answerable to the Philippines for killings Moros in the past.
“When as a matter of fact, at the turn of the century, before the Americans left the Philippines in the pacification campaign of the Moro in this island, there were about – 6 million ang population ng Moro (the Moros had a population of 6 million). How many died? 600. Answer that question and give the apology, I will answer it,” an angry Duterte said.
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He pointed out how the US treated the migrants in the country. In earlier statements, Duterte urged the US to look into the deaths of black men in their country at the hands of law enforcers.
Duterte raised the issue of how some Filipino journalists seem to look up to Obama.
“Alam mo, marami diyang mga kolumnista, they look upon Obama and the United States as if they are the lapdogs of this country,” he said.
“Masyado kayong bilib sa America, bumilib kayo dito sa atin. Siya mag explain sa akin bakit ganoon extrajudicial killing nila (You believe in America too much, believe in us. He should explain their extrajudicial killings),” he added.
Duterte, showing anti-colonialist sentiments, said that he would not “kneel down before anyone else except the Filipino.”
As for his war against drugs, Duterte said that it will continue and more will be killed.
“Plenty will be killed until the last pusher is out of this place, until the drug manufacturer is killed… I don’t give a shit about anybody observing my behavior,” he said.
Earlier, the US State Department said that Obama is set to discuss human rights issues with Duterte during their ASEAN meeting.
Obama responds
Before leaving China for Laos, Obama was asked at a press conference if he would meet with Duterte as planned and if he would commit to raising the issue of extra-judicial killings in the Philippines after Duterte threatened to curse at him if he brought the topic up in Laos.
Obama said he heard about Duterte’s remarks and asked his staff to determine whether meeting the Philippine president would still be “productive.”
“I just heard about some of this, but I have seen some of those colorful statements in the past. So clearly, he’s a colorful guy,” Obama said.
“What I’ve instructed my team to do is to talk to their Philippine counterparts to find out… Is this in fact a time where we can have some constructive, productive conversations,” he added.
Obama pointed out the close ties between the US and the Philippines, saying that both countries are “treaty allies.”
On the war against drugs, Obama said he recognizes the “burden” of fighting illegal drugs not only on the Philippines but on the rest of the world.
“Fighting narco-trafficking is tough,” he remarked.
Obama, however, emphasized the need for due process.
“But we will always assert the need to have due process and to engage in that fight against drugs in a way that’s consistent with basic international norms. And so, undoubtedly, if and when we have a meeting, that this is something that’s gonna be brought up,” Obama said.
Sources: (globalnation.inquirer.net, rappler.com)
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