In the case of Philippines’ president, Rodrigo Duterte, that insult led to the White House cancelling scheduled bilateral meetings.
Duterte has become a controversial figure because of his incredibly tough stance on drug offenders. Some reports claim that his regime has killed more than 2,400 drug offenders since he took office earlier this summer.
The Filipino president also has a history with making remarks that incite criticism, such as a rape joke he told during his presidential campaign .
Duterte told a crowd that if Obama questioned his policy, he would curse at the U.S. president:
"Who does he think he is? I am no American puppet. I am the president of a sovereign country and I am not answerable to anyone except the Filipino people," Duterte said. "Son of a b**ch, I will swear at you."
"Words matter, and we want to see an atmosphere that is cordial and open to strong cooperation," Mark Toner, State Department’s spokesman, told reporters.
Following the White House’s decision to cancel the talks, Duterte’s regime offered clarifying statements and expressed regret.
“President Duterte explained that the press reports that President Obama would ‘lecture’ him on extrajudicial killings led to his strong comments, which in turn elicited concern,” one statement read in part.
Another said that Duterte “regrets that his remarks to the press have caused much controversy. He expressed his deep regard and affinity for President Obama and for the enduring partnership between our nations.”
NewEurope reported that Duerte’s team also blamed reporters:
… [O]n Tuesday, Duerte’s Secretary blamed the media for misreporting the President’s profanity. The media have allegedly misreported on the President’s undiplomatic language in more than one occasion. US Secretary of State John Kerry was allegedly referred to as “crazy” by President Duerte, whose adherence to diplomatic etiquette is said not to be his strong point.
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from PR Daily News Feed http://ift.tt/2cpsLCQ
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