Duterte in Iloilo says sorry over rape comments

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — Presidential candidate Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has asked forgiveness over controversial rape remarks regarding an Australian rape victim which has also attracted attention from international media organizations.

The Duterte statement was sent hours before he was scheduled to hold a forum at the University of the Philippine Visayas–Iloilo City campus and a grand rally at La Paz public plaza.

A staff of Duterte claimed that it was the mayor who personally dictated the apology statement, while he was in Bacolod City. But while Duterte apologized for his recent remarks, he stressed he will never asked forgiveness for the things he did in protecting the people against crime. His statement reads:

“I APOLOGIZE to the Filipino people for my recent remarks in a rally. There was no intention of disrespecting our women and those who have been victims of this horrible crime. Sometimes my mouth can get the better of me.

However, I will not apologize for the things I’ve done to protect our people, especially the weak and defenseless, from crime. I know what it can do to the victims and their families. The anguish and pain they cause. The trauma that can’t be erased. I have witnessed these myself numerous times.

“This is why I am angry. I am angry because horrendous things like this continue to happen to our women and children all over our land. And sadly, government has failed to protect them.

“If you will give me the chance to lead this country, I promise to all of you that I will protect our women, children and families from the horrors and disorder of crime. I will do this even if I lose my life, my honor and even the presidency.

My life is an open book. I am a man of many flaws and contradictions. But when it comes to securing the lives and future of our countrymen and women, you can trust me to do the right thing. I will fight for the people until my last breath.”

Meanwhile, Leoncio Evasco, Duterte’s campaign manager, also defended the presidential bet by issuing a statement along with Duterte’s letter.

Evasco urged the public to get to know Duterte. “Many still do not know (his) character and personality. Behind his strong and sometimes intransigent persona seen in public is a compassionate, sincere and principled man.”

Evasco, who has been working with Duterte for three decades already, said he saw him took the risk and take the road less traveled in the course of his dedicated public service. “I can swear to God – the way I took my priestly vows - that he has not taken advantage of his position to enrich himself or any member of his family,” he said.

Evasco also noted how Duterte spend well every single centavo of the money of Davao City. “One thing he cannot tolerate are the recidivist and incorrigible deviants–felons and criminals. He hates them.”

Evasco also buoyed Duterte’s caring character on the vulnerable sectors of the society: The lumads, the minority, the disabled, the people with different gender preference and most especially women.

“For all his much-talked-about womanizing ways, he has a very soft heart towards women who are assaulted, raped and killed. I can count to you how many rape cases he personally attended to,” he said.

“They may find Duterte uncouth, abrasive, and even repulsive. Because that is how the elitists are trying to impose their myopic rules on all our people. Duterte is not in this elitist circle and he is definitely out-of-the-box in his thinking.”

But amid all these, Evasco said the mayor is the “most sincere, simplest but dedicated leader I have ever worked with.” He also urge Duterte believers and supporters to remain steadfast amid the new challenges they are now facing. —(FREEMAN)