Presidential candidate Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte backpedalled on his furious comments against the ambassadors of Australia and the United States who criticized him for allegedly joking about the killing and rape of Australian missionary Jacqueline Hamill in Davao City in 1989.
Duterte denied reports that he had dared Australia and the US to cut ties with the Philippines when he wins in the May 9 presidential polls, saying that he merely warned their respective envoys against dipping their hands into local politics.
“I didn’t say that,” Duterte said when asked by media if he really meant what he said about severing ties with the two close allies of the Philippines.
The tough talking presidential candidate explained that he merely aired his misgivings about the envoys’ statements against him after his alleged joke about Hamill received widespread public criticisms.
Earlier, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, Duterte’s running-mate, assailed the reports, saying that this could be part of an apparent smear drive aimed at stopping the PDP-Laban presidential bet’s rising popularity.
Duterte was quoted as saying that Australia and US can “go ahead and sever” diplomatic ties with the country if officials will continue to hit him for a misunderstood action.
Thousands of Cavitenos braved the scorching heat as they stood their ground waiting for nearly six hours for presidential bet Mayor Rodrigo Duterte who was treated like a “rock star”
Pandemonium broke loose as Duterte arrived on board a chopper that landed at dusk at the Silang Central West Elementary School. A huge crowd swooped near the chopper and started crowding Duterte as he alighted.
Duterte’s response to media interviews was drowned by chants of “Duterte! Duterte!”.
“These people went here on their own, they want change. I am happy to see all of them,” Duterte said.
The PDP-Laban presidential candidate was joined in a 50-vehicle motorcade that proceeded to Pandacan, Manila where a rally was to be held.
Duterte arrived past 6 pm for the motorcade that was scheduled 2 pm.
Members of his campaign staff said the city mayor failed to arrive on time because he had a scheduled meeting with Iglesia Ni Cristo Executive Minister Eduardo Manalo in Quezon City.
INC sources said Duterte’s meeting with Manalo took place at 9 am.
Original Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/duterte-backpedals-on-comments-against-us-australia/
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