Duterte’s rape joke meant to make people laugh, Palace says

May 27, 2019

Malacanang defended on Monday President Rodrigo Duterte who again made rape as a joke during the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) graduation ceremony in Baguio City on Sunday.

"He (Duterte) made some mischievous remarks to make people laugh," said Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo in a text message to reporters.

He insisted many people were not surprised whenever Duterte makes some jokes.

"People have been used to his jokes hence his audience always receive them with hearty laughter," said Panelo, also the chief presidential legal counsel.

During the PMA graduation rites, before Duterte signed a paper pardoning all the outstanding punishments for the underclassmen of the Cadet Corps Armed Forces of the Philippines, he again made a joke about rape.

"Will I sign this?...Who have erred? Raise your hand. I won't sign this. You have to be...show me your face. Who are to be pardoned?" he said as he likened the cadets to the policemen whom he claimed did not want to admit their faults.

"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," he said.

"The number one is for rape...number two is drugs with rape with robbery. It's for Muntinlupa. Third, multiple rape of the women of Baguio, the beautiful ones," he added, making the audience laughed.

Previously, Duterte said he molested his nanny when he was still a teenager. His spokesman later said it was just a joke. Celerina Monte/DMS