Barack Obama (left) and Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte (AFP Photo/Saul Loeb, Manman Dejeto)
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday apologised to former U.S. president Barack Obama for calling him a “son of a whore” in 2016.
“It would be appropriate … to say at this time that, Mr Obama, you’re a civilian, I am sorry for uttering those words,” Duterte said in a speech to the Filipino community in Israel, where he is currently on an official visit.
Duterte added that he had “forgiven” Obama for criticizing his controversial campaign against illegal drugs that resulted in the extra-judicial killings of hundreds of suspected drug addicts and dealers.
“We have learned our lessons very well. We understand each other so if it is in your heart to forgive, you forgive. I have forgiven you,” he said.
Duterte also described Obama as “cold” and “always at a distance.”
In contrast, he described President Donald Trump as “a good friend of mine” who “speaks my language.”
Duterte used the slur against Obama in 2016 when asked by reporters how he would respond if the U.S. asked him about human rights concerns at an upcoming ASEAN summit in Laos.
In response, the U.S. cancelled a scheduled bilateral meeting of the two leaders.
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The term extra-judicial killings is at best unlawful and at worst degrading. Whether in the first, second or third world, the principle is settled that both sides in a criminal or civil lawsuit must have the opportunity to present their case. With extra-judicial killings, that doesn’t happen. There is no doubt that the killing field perpetuated in the Philippines, has achirved the givernment’s planned impact of reducing offences connected with drug trafficking or consumption. However, there are accounts that innocent lives have been taken, which calls for a proper and thorough investigation of all cases. The increase in the number of mental health sufferers across the world calls for a tough action, when the socio-economic costs to any government beset with drug problems are factored into account. Governments across the world could also redouble their efforts in finding out the reasons why there is such a steep increase in drug trafficking. They will need to educate their citizens and launch economic programmes that draw people away from such crimes.
Philippine president Deuterte, is a certify killer, of innocent drug suspects who have not been condemned to death by any lawful court in Philippine. Deuterte, should face murder charges at the international criminal court, at the Hergue, Netherland, at the end of his inglorious rule
Really Pat?
Drug dealers kill members of the judiciary!
Ask El Chapo.
Deuterte is no hero, in a chapel or a mosque.
His language is unrefined.
His approach unendearing,
But, by jove,
He’s getting the job done,
Warts and all.
Fast forward to Nigeria.
Everybody is important,
The bigger the rouge,
The more respect he gets from the public,
With a pocketed judiciary,
And saintly observers,
Quoting the rule of law,
From the comfort of their luxurious homes.
Get my drift, Pat?
Pat?
Thanks Emimani for reminding them, they believe they know best when their house is on fire. Rogues, looters, ritualists and other criminals like incorruptible judges and Lawyers hold Nigeria state to ransom.
There a time for everything. Ghana had it’s time under Rawlings and is the better for it. Maybe the Phillipines will also be the better for it after Duterte not withstanding his defects. While only time will tell for the Phillipines Nigeria is yet to contemplate such drastic surgery which I dare say we urgently; if only to guarantee a place under the sun for posterity.
Thank you Eminami. I suspect phillipines has a weak and corrupt judiciary like Nigeria. A drug lord kills thousands of people.