It was reported the victim was a staunch critic of the Davao City Mayor at the time (Mr. Duterte himself).
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“Church, journalism, politicians, police – all! Basta [enough] corruption, I will be harsh”, he said, asserting that his election was a message loud and clear from the Philippine people: “They do not want their money put inside the pockets of workers of government”.
Duterte later on clarified his statement, classifying media into “3 categories”: the honest journalists who sometimes get killed in the line of duty, those with vested interests and the corrupt “vultures”. He also warned that journalists who defamed others in their news reporting would not necessarily be protected under the law from violent reprisals.
People in the Philippines who shoot dead drug dealers resisting arrest will be given a medal, the country’s president-elect has pledged.
The 71-year-old won the 9 May presidential election on a vow to stamp out crime and corruption within six months of coming to office.
“Just because you’re a journalist you are not exempted from assassination if you’re a son of a bitch”, Rodrigo Duterte said Tuesday, Agence France-Presse reported.
Many slain journalists in the Philippines had been corrupt and had “done something” to warrant being killed, the country’s president-elect said. Philippino media groups have openly denounced Duterte for his words.
“Not only are these statements unworthy of a president but they could also be regarded as violations of the law on defamation or even the law on inciting hatred and violence”, said Benjamin Ismaïl, the head of RSF’s Asia-Pacific desk.
Private media representatives earlier said they were allowed to post their cameramen and equipment near the stage but the PSG cancelled the arrangement at the last minute for security reasons. Reporters Without Borders urged local media to boycott his news conferences until he issues a public apology.
Duterte is no stranger to bad press.
“A luxury vehicle for charity, my dear bishops?”
Sought for comment, incoming Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay said: “The statements of our President [-elect] should not be taken as policy statements”. You’re not supposed to do that. “Do not wait for me to name you in public because I will only humiliate you”, Duterte said.
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He was under fire again with his pronouncements on media killings with some media groups threatening to boycott his press briefings.
