Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte apologizes for cursing Obama
What's the story
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has apologized to former US President Barack Obama for calling him a "son of a whore" in 2016, which sparked a new low in their nations' long alliance. Duterte lobbed the insult in response to steady criticism from the United States over his violent drug crackdown, which has been a target for international condemnation. Here's more.
Relationship with America
Donald Trump speaks my language: Duterte
The Philippine President said his nation's relationship with America has since improved under President Donald Trump, who he described as a "good friend" who speaks "his language". "It would be appropriate also to say at this time to Mr. Obama that you are now a civilian and I am sorry for uttering those words," Duterte said in a speech before Filipinos in Israel.
Duterte's speech
Duterte said he has forgiven Obama just like his girlfriends
"If it is (in) your heart to forgive, you forgive. I have forgiven you (Obama) just like my girlfriends when I was still a bachelor... I have forgiven them also," Duterte said during the speech. Duterte landed in Israel on Sunday for a four-day stay as the Philippines seeks to develop new sources of military hardware and nail down protections for its overseas workers.
Bad reputation
Duterte earned a reputation for using vulgar language against critics
After his election in 2016, Duterte earned a reputation for using vulgar language against critics which his aides have tried to minimize or explain away. He branded Pope Francis and the then US Ambassador to Manila 'sons of whores'. He also fired expletives at the United Nations and during a speech in the Philippines raised his middle finger in defiance to the European parliament.
Anti-narcotics campaign
Obama described Duterte as 'a colorful guy'
Duterte often rails at critics of his campaign to rid the Philippines of narcotics. He cursed Obama ahead of a regional summit in Laos two years ago prompting the US to cancel a meeting between the two leaders there. Obama later described Duterte as 'a colorful guy' as he urged him to conduct his anti-narcotics campaign 'the right way'.
New criticism
Duterte blamed beautiful women for the high number of rapes
Duterte sparked new criticism ahead of his departure for Israel, blaming the high number of rapes in his hometown of Davao on a large number of beautiful women there. The latest comment was denounced by women's rights defenders. "Beauty doesn't cause rape, rapists do," said Philippine lawmaker Risa Hontiveros, a Duterte critic. Duterte has on several occasions made rape jokes in public since 2016.