Albayalde says Duterte rape remark is ” obvious joke”

May 27, 2019

The Philippine National Police ( PNP) on Monday defended President Rodrigo Duterte's latest rape remark saying it’s an “obvious joke”.

“That's a very obvious joke,” said Police General Oscar Albayalde, the PNP chief, said in a press briefing.

Albayalde explained that giving pardon to graduating cadets is basically a practice and tradition at the Philippine Military Academy.

“If the president attends the rites, he can give pardon. The offenses in the PMA are basically… the excess demerits, you ( are) caught at unauthorized places, (you) unshined your shoes, unshined buckle but nothing on rape,” he clarified.

“I can assure you that if your offense (is rape), you will be immediately removes,” Albayalde added. Ella Dionisio/DMS

Asked if it’s acceptable, the PNP chief said it’s up to Duterte as they cannot order him to not say something vulgar or change the manner of the way he speaks.

“Well that's up to the president. He is the president, we cannot tell him what to say. That’s the president of the republic,” said Albayalde.

“Probably he wants to make everybody happy or probably want the audience to laugh,” he said.

Albayalde said officials cannot give pardon to criminal offenses.

During the signing of pardon last Sunday, Duterte told the graduates that he now forgive them for the sins they committed, even if it’s rape.

“Well, anyway I’ll pass you this time because I need good and capable soldiers and I know that one or two is bound to happen. But I will forgive you… The number one is for rape. Number two is drugs with rape with robbery… third is multiple rape of the women of Baguio, the beautiful ones. Who’s that?” he said in jest. Ella Dionisio/ DMS