 "Rodrigo Duterte's verbal disasters: From abusing Obama to invoking Hitler")
Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte late last week said that he had promised God that he would desist from using profanities, the BBC reported.
"I heard a voice telling me to stop swearing or the plane will crash mid-air, and so I promised to stop," Duterte told reporters at the airport, according to the report, after returning from his trip to Japan.
However, some might argue that the alleged divine intervention might have come too late for President Duterte.
Nicknamed 'the Punisher' and 'Trump of the East', the controversial leader has sparked many a controversy with his words, which are often, if not always, laced with profanities.
Business Standard lists some of the most ill-timed and ill-aimed shots that Duterte has fired off while shooting from the hip:
Business Standard lists some of the most ill-timed and ill-aimed shots that Duterte has fired off while shooting from the hip:
1. Compares himself to Hitler?
Comparing your actions to Adolf Hitler's is never wise. However, Duterte has compared his campaign against drug dealers and users to the Holocaust, and said that he will kill addicts just like Hitler had killed the Jews.
Comparing your actions to Adolf Hitler's is never wise. However, Duterte has compared his campaign against drug dealers and users to the Holocaust, and said that he will kill addicts just like Hitler had killed the Jews.
2) Abuses the US President
Duterte has called US President Barack Obama a "son of a *****" and warned him not to question his policy of extrajudicial killings. Following this, Obama cancelled a meeting which had been scheduled between the two leaders, citing he would prefer constructive and productive conversations.
Duterte has called US President Barack Obama a "son of a *****" and warned him not to question his policy of extrajudicial killings. Following this, Obama cancelled a meeting which had been scheduled between the two leaders, citing he would prefer constructive and productive conversations.
More From This Section
3) Calls EU a grouping of hypocrites
Duterte described the European Union (EU) collectively as "hypocrites". When the EU urged his government to investigate human rights abuses, Duterte launched an obscenity-filled rant and said EU was simply trying to wash its sins and guilt over occupying other countries in the past.
Duterte described the European Union (EU) collectively as "hypocrites". When the EU urged his government to investigate human rights abuses, Duterte launched an obscenity-filled rant and said EU was simply trying to wash its sins and guilt over occupying other countries in the past.
4) Defends mass killings
He defended the mass killing of drug dealers by saying the widespread killings of drug users was justified as they were beyond rehabilitation. The leader is reported to have also accepted that he would have killed his own children if they consumed drugs.
He defended the mass killing of drug dealers by saying the widespread killings of drug users was justified as they were beyond rehabilitation. The leader is reported to have also accepted that he would have killed his own children if they consumed drugs.
5) Takes on China
On the South China Sea territorial dispute, Duterte had once promised to ride alone to an airport built on reclaimed land by the Chinese, to plant a Philippine flag and say: "This is ours. Do what you want with me."
On the South China Sea territorial dispute, Duterte had once promised to ride alone to an airport built on reclaimed land by the Chinese, to plant a Philippine flag and say: "This is ours. Do what you want with me."
6) A womaniser?
Duterte also bragged about being a womaniser and accepted that he had two mistresses.
Duterte also bragged about being a womaniser and accepted that he had two mistresses.
7) Ditching US for China and Russia?
Duterte also suggested he would cut both economic and military ties with the US in favour of moving closer to China. He also claimed he would talk to Russian President Vladimir Putin and tell him that there were three of us against the world: China, Philippines and Russia. It's the only way.
Duterte also suggested he would cut both economic and military ties with the US in favour of moving closer to China. He also claimed he would talk to Russian President Vladimir Putin and tell him that there were three of us against the world: China, Philippines and Russia. It's the only way.
8) Says will set up another UN
Duterte also threatened to withdraw the Philippines from the United Nations (UN), and described UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon as a "fool". He also said he might even try to set up a rival international organisation along the lines of the UN.
Duterte also threatened to withdraw the Philippines from the United Nations (UN), and described UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon as a "fool". He also said he might even try to set up a rival international organisation along the lines of the UN.