(REUTERS) — A women’s group on Monday (April 18) demanded an apology from Philippine presidential frontrunner Rodrigo Duterte over a rape remark that sparked outrage on social media.
A YouTube video appeared over the weekend showing Duterte speaking at a recent rally where he recalled his experience of being a local mayor during a 1989 prison riot in which an Australian missionary visiting the local jail was raped and killed.
The video clip showed Duterte, 71, telling supporters he was angry that a “beautiful” woman had been murdered. He said inmates had lined up to rape her and it was a “waste” because as mayor, he should have been first.
The clip spread quickly on social media and prompted outrage from women’s groups and politicians.
“He still has to apologise because he made the rape issue seem like a joke when he said in the last part. It looked like a joke and considering all presidential, all vice presidential, all senatorial contenders should think carefully about how they say things. These people are public figures and a lot of people listen to them, especially with the rising cases of rape,” said women’s rights group Gabriela’s vice chairperson , Gert Ranjo-Libang.
Duterte on Sunday (April 17) expressed regret for his language, but refused to apologise for being ‘misinterpreted’.
Duterte, who has been mayor of the southern Davao City on and off since 1986, tops the latest opinion polls ahead of the May 9 presidential election, helped largely by his anti-crime platform.
He made the controversial remark during a campaign rally in Manila early on Wednesday (April 13) where hundreds of supporters listened to his speech.
But Duterte’s tough, no-nonsense rhetoric has struck a chord with many Filipinos. The country’s two biggest opinion polls last week saw him replace Poe in the lead.
Duterte has promised to end crime and graft within six months if elected and has spoken of his support for vigilantism and the extra-judicial killing of criminals in his city.
