Philippine President-elect Rodrigo Duterte has withdrawn his promise to make a personal apology to the Pope for swearing about him.
In his first press conference since his decisive election victory last week, Mr Duterte said the visit to Rome would only be an “exercise in duplicity”. Duterte reportedly called Pope Francis “the son of a whore” when caught up in traffic during the Pope's visit to the country last year.
“No more - that’s enough,” he said when reporters questioned him on his earlier proposal of a pilgrimage to the Vatican. “God is my friend [and] I ask him if I’ve been forgiven for all the sins I’ve committed on this planet.” According to Mr Duterte God’s reply was: “Now and for ever.”
Duterte also used the conference, which was televised nationally, to reiterate his brutal approach to law and order. He told journalists that perpetrators of serious crimes would be beheaded after being hanged.
“After you are hanged first, there will be another ceremony for the second time until the head is completely severed from the body,” he said. “I like that because I am mad.”
The previous day, Mr Duterte rejected the use of alternative forms of execution, describing them as “cruel”. “What I will do is urge Congress to restore death penalty by hanging,” he said. “It’s just like switching off a light. Once the spine is cut, that’s the end of it. He does not feel anything.”
He added: “Firing squad is more expensive because we will use bullets, and it’s more cruel.” He ruled out electrocution because of the energy costs involved. “I’m going to kill a bad person and you still want me to spend money?” he questioned.
The Philippines was the first country in south east Asia to abolish the death penalty, after the overthrow of the dictator Ferdinand Marcos in 1986. Executions were later restored, only to be abolished again in 2006.
Mr Duterte will need the backing of Congress in order to see through his plans.
While official election results are yet to be announced, Mr Duterte has an unassailable lead. He is set to be sworn into office on 30 June for a six-year term.
Loading ...
