President Rodrigo Duterte /PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
Update
MANILA, Philippines -There is no stopping President Rodrigo Duterte from attacking the clergy and suggested to bystanders on Thursday to rob members of the clergy.
鈥淜aya pagdating ko sabi ko, 鈥楬oy, kayong mga tambay diyan, 鈥榩ag dumaan 鈥榶ang obispo ninyo holdapan 鈥榶an maraming pera 鈥榶an p i** niya.聽 Patayin mo,鈥� Duterte said in a speech during the birth anniversary celebration of Gov. Antonio Kho in Masbate, eliciting laughter from the crowd.
(To bystanders, if your bishop passes by, rob them, they have lots of money.聽 Kill them.)
He said he has nothing against the Church, particularly priests, but slammed them for accusing him of extrajudicial killings.
The President in December urged the public to kill their bishops, whom he described as useless.
搁贰础顿:听Another joke? Duterte says Catholic bishops useless鈥� kill them
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo had already clarified that Duterte鈥檚 鈥榢ill bishops鈥� remark was just a hyperbole for dramatic effect
In his speech in Masbate, Duterte again slammed priests for using the pulpit to criticize him.
鈥淚tong pari, you know, do not use the pulpit,鈥� he said.
鈥淢agpa-interview ka diyan sa opisina mo. 鈥淲e do not like the way Duterte is handling the problem because there are so many聽persons, innocents are killed.鈥� Okay 鈥榶ang ganun,鈥� he added.
(Have yourselves interviewed in your office and criticize they way I handle problems because many individuals get killed.聽 That鈥檚 fine with me). /gsg/ac