Duterte compared himself to Hitler, not Ninoy - Palace
Metro Manila, Philippines – Malacañang questioned the comparison made by Vice President Sara Duterte between her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, and the late Senator Ninoy Aquino.
Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said in a press briefing on Monday, March 24, that the former president had even compared himself to Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler.
“Inihahalintulad ba ni VP Sara ang kaniyang ama sa yumaong Ninoy Aquino? Parang hindi po natin nadinig noon na inihalintulad ni dating Pangulong Duterte ang sarili niya kay Ninoy kung hindi kay Hitler,” said Castro.
[Translation: Is VP Sara comparing her father to the late Ninoy Aquino? It seems we never heard former President Duterte liken himself to Ninoy, but rather to Hitler]
Castro referred to Duterte's speech on Sept. 30, 2016, after returning from an official visit to Vietnam. During the speech, the former president lamented criticisms from the United States and the European Union regarding his war on drugs.
“Hitler massacred three million - actually, it’s supposed to be six million Jews. Now there are three million, what is it? Three million drug addicts in the Philippines – there are. I’d be happy to slaughter them. At least if Germany had Hitler, the Philippines would have me,” Duterte said.
The remarks drew condemnation from human rights groups and international organizations, including the World Jewish Congress.
"What President Duterte said is not only profoundly inhumane, but it demonstrates an appalling disrespect for human life that is truly heartbreaking for the democratically elected leader of a great country," said World Jewish Congress President Ronald S. Lauder as he demanded an apology.
Duterte later clarified his statement, saying he never intended to offend the Jewish community.
“I would like to make it clear here and now that there was never an intention on my part to derogate the memory of the six million Jews murdered by the Germans,” Duterte said on Oct. 2, 2016.
He added that he never meant to denigrate Jews but was merely reacting to criticisms likening him to Adolf Hitler.
“It was never my intention, but the problem was I was criticized for using Hitler, comparing me to him,” he said.
No threats to Duterte
The Palace also noted that the circumstances between Duterte and Aquino are different with no perceived threats to the life of the former president.
“Iyon nga po nakakapagtaka eh, saan po ba nakukuha itong mga kuwento na ganito? Saan po nakukuha ang pagkukumpara kay dating Ninoy Aquino? Saan nakukuha iyong mga threats? As a matter of fact, hanggang ngayon iyong sinasabing threats kay VP Sara, hindi pa rin po naipapakita sa NBI at saka sa PNP,” said Castro.
[Translation: That’s what’s puzzling - where are these stories coming from? Where is this comparison to the late Ninoy Aquino coming from? Where are these threats coming from? As a matter of fact, up to now, the alleged threats against VP Sara have yet to be presented to the National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine National Police,]
“So saan lamang po ito nakukuha, kailangan po natin kasi ng mga materyales, ng mga ebidensiya bago po magsagawa ng ganitong mga klaseng statements. Wala pong katotohanan iyan,” she added.
[Translation: So where is this coming from? We need materials, evidence before making these kinds of statements. That is not true.]
The vice president told her supporters in the Netherlands over the weekend that the former president had accepted his fate at the International Criminal Court but told her that he wants to return to the Philippines no matter what.
