Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte speaks to soldiers during a visit at a military camp in Iligan City, Philippines May 26, 2017. Malacanang Presidential Palace/Handout via Reuters
MANILA (Reuters) - Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has sought to reassure soldiers who might be accused of committing abuses under martial law and jokingly said that if any of them were to rape three women, he would personally claim responsibility for it.
Duterte is notorious for comments often deemed offensive and made the remark as a joke, reiterating that only he would be liable for any backlash over military rule on southern Mindanao island. He has, however, said he would not tolerate abuses.
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