Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday, May 30, once again slammed the United States for its “lack of word of honor” when it recalled its rifle sales due to the alleged human rights violations in the country.
The strong-mouthed leader slammed the U.S. government during his speech among the Filipino community in Tokyo, Japan. Duterte is set to attend the 25th International Conference on the future of Asia and a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday.
He reminded the Filipinos in Japan of the time when the U.S. State Department stopped the sale of 26,000 assault rifles to the Philippine National Police (PNP) in 2016 for the fear that the weapons would be used to rid the country of illegal drug users and peddlers.
“Kaya hindi ako nakikinig sa kanila. I do not listen to you. Wala kayong word of honor. Ang pinaka may word of honor Japan. Totoo (That’s why I don’t listen to them. They do not have word of honor. Japan has word of honor. Really),” the president explained.
He compared the two countries in terms of how he interacted with them in the past. He also emphasized how Japan, China and Russia came to the country’s aid and extended assistance to the Philippines during the Marawi siege.
“Iba talaga sa America. Tsaka bossy masyado. Yung kanilang sarhento, tinyente kung magsalita akala mo heneral (The U.S. is something else, too bossy. Their lieutenants talk like generals),” Duterte said as reported by The Philippine Daily Inquirer.
“If I were you, you help Japan. Truly, in good faith. Sweat it out. First and foremost, they’re kind to us and they provide us with so many things, free of charge,” he added as reported by ABS-CBN News.
Duterte likewise lauded Japan for its humane treatment of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Japan. He also noted that the working conditions in other areas, specifically in Middle East is deemed far more unfavorable.
“Japan is a good country, at tsaka ang mga workers natin dito hindi binabastos. You are really treated here as human beings. Punta ka doon sa Middle East, doon ka maawa (Our workers there are treated with respect. Go to the Middle East and you would pity them there),” he said.
There are about 285,000 Filipinos in Japan, which is the Philippines’ second major trading partner and top provider of official development assistance.
