Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has shocked the world with his blood-soaked reign including his orders to police to murder drug suspects and his bragging about his own murders. Thousands of suspected drug dealers have been killed under Duterte. Duterte has mocked those who object to the extrajudicial murders, including teenagers found dead. Now Duterte has found a way to shock the world again after telling soldiers to shoot female rebels in their genitals. Many of us were alarmed by President Donald Trump’s praise of Duterte as “a good man” and praising his crackdown on drugs. Duterte however shows no ability to control himself any more than his son (who has been implicated in drugs and corruption) or his henchman . . . or his mouth. However, this not just some clown in office. Duterte is actively encouraging extrajudicial murders as a policy of this close allied nation.
Addressing a group of former communist rebels this month, Duterte declared “Tell the soldiers. There’s a new order coming from the mayor. We won’t kill you. We will just shoot your vagina. He added “If there is no vagina, it would be useless.”
In so doing, Duterte was able to combine murder, sexism, and insanity — the signature hallmarks of his authoritarian reign.
It is becoming increasing intolerable for the United States to consider this government an ally or support its military. At least China and Iran deny their human rights violations. Duterte proudly proclaims his murderous policies.
