Duterte dares media: Do not cover me!

MANILA, Philippines – “Magboycott kayo!”

This is what President-elect Rodrigo Duterte said following a call from an international media group to boycott covering him as the country’s next president.

Earlier, Reporters Without Borders urged Filipino journalists to boycott Duterte’s news conferences until he issues a public apology for stating that many journalists have been killed in the country because they were involved in corrupt deals.

Speaking to reporters in Davao City on Thursday night, Duterte lashed out at journalists, saying they “think too much of themselves.”

“Don’t think you’re the only field of purity,” said Duterte.

“I can lose the presidency, my life, my honor. Just don’t f… with me,” he added.

Duterte also challenged the media to “kill” journalism.

 “As a matter of fact, I’m challenging you guys: Kill journalism. Stop journalism in this country. If you are worth your salt, you should accept the challenge. 'Pag hindi, mababa na ang tingin ko sa inyo. Para kayong takot,” Duterte said.

Duterte’s legal counsel and spokesperson Salvador Panelo early Thursday said the chief executive would not apologize.

“You only apologize if you committed something wrong, but the president-elect has not committed anything wrong with what he said,” the spokesperson said.