Duterte gives middle finger to EU lawmakers again

Pia Ranada

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Duterte gives middle finger to EU lawmakers again
The President says European lawmakers have no appreciation for the 'serious problem' of drug proliferation in the Philippines

MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte again cursed European Union (EU) officials in a speech on Thursday, September 22.

“Hanggang ngayon, doon sa EU, ‘He is known to issue warnings of killing criminals.’ Sabi ko, ‘Fuck you,'” said Duterte during a speech aired live on national television and social media. He was speaking at the inauguration of a power plant in Misamis Oriental.

(Until now, in the EU, they say, “He is known to issue warnings of killing criminals.” I said, “Fuck you.”)

This is the second time Duterte has hurled profanities at the EU. He said the same thing in an event in Davao City on September 20.

On Thursday, he said his curses at EU officials are borne out of frustration for their supposed lack of understanding of the drug “crisis” in the Philippines.

“Why are you complaining so much about me threatening the criminals of the drug syndicates if you consider the fact that we have now 3.7 million drug addicts? By that number alone, it would tell you it’s a very serious problem,” said a visibly angry Duterte.

On September 15, the European Parliament issued a statement calling on the Duterte government to “put an end” to extrajudicial killings in the Philippines.

While the parliament’s members understand the consequences of drug addiction, they said they are also concerned by the “extraordinarily high numbers killed during police operations.” (READ: Duterte to critics: Don’t lecture me in public)

But Duterte said in his Thursday speech that extrajudicial killings “are not the work of the government.” He said he is merely threatening criminals.

“You know, there is no crime at all in the Philippines that says I cannot threaten criminals,” said the President.

His anger was also directed at United Nations rapporteurs and American “rapporteurs.”

“Noong mayor ako, it was alright for them to criticize me… Pero Presidente ako, lecture-an ako ng putang ina niyang rapporteur,” said Duterte.

(When I was mayor, it was alright for them to criticize me… But I’m President now and that son-of-a-whore rapporteur is lecturing me.)

In the same speech, after cursing them, he invited UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, and EU officials to go to the Philippines to probe the extrajudicial killings.

This is on the condition that he would engage them in a debate in an open forum where, he said, he would surely beat them. – Rappler.com 

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Pia Ranada

Pia Ranada is Rappler’s Community Lead, in charge of linking our journalism with communities for impact.