Documents released by WikiLeaks allege that Duterte, who was mayor of the southern city of Davao for over 22 years, has been linked with a vigilante group called the Davao Death Squad.
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While the decision on the arbitration case might be favorable to the Philippines, “it would also put the country in an awkward position especially with China (in terms of relations)”, Duterte said at the first meeting of his cabinet at the presidential palace after his inauguration earlier in the day.
He said his fight against drugs and criminality “will be relentless and it will be sustained” but within the bounds of the law.
Mr Labang, who had criticised Duterte previous year for running in the election after previously saying he wouldn’t stand, added that he had changed his mind about the new president despite the cost to his business.
His first speech as president was marked with his first spoken order as well – a directive to cut red tape to ease citizens’ dealings with various government agencies.
His campaign also relentlessly highlighted the alleged failures of Aquino, who delivered the highest rates of economic growth in decades, but failed to stem worsening traffic gridlock, high crime and the widespread poverty endured by many Filipinos.
“I know the limits of the power and authority of the president”, he said. They say that my methods are unorthodox and verge on the illegal. During his time as mayor of Davao city, once crime ridden but now peaceful, he gained a reputation for being involved in extra-judicial killings.
Viewers who watch Rodrigo Duterte’s inauguration speech online will see a president maintaining his toughness while also striking a more conciliatory tone.
But it was unclear whether Duterte meant to telegraph his soft diplomatic punches, with his comments made during his first cabinet meeting that was broadcast live on national television before being cut abruptly during the discussions on China.
“I was mad she was raped but she was so lovely”, he said.
Duterte in his turn offered a reward of 5 million pesos ($108,000) for a drug lord “if he is dead”, urging the public to join his far-reaching anti-crime fight.
Kine said HRW was looking forward to hear from Duterte that such statements “were electoral season bluster” than serious policy statements, because as soon as he steps into office “he is obligated to extend the human rights protections embodied in the constitution to all the people of the Philippines – even those he considers “criminals'”.
Aided by bucketloads of charisma, Duterte was undoubtedly a hugely popular leader of Davao, where numerous city’s almost two million residents welcomed his authoritarian touch in helping to deliver relative peace and economic prosperity.
He’s pledged to bring back the death penalty and kill 100,000 criminals. Days before his swearing in, however, he was still warning “If you destroy my country, I will kill you”, in a speech this week. He is the 16th President of the Republic of the Philippines.
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A South China Sea dispute between the two nations will be ruled on by global arbitrators on July 12, and Mr Duterte has pledge “a soft landing” instead of inflaming tensions between the two countries.
