Duterte addresses soldiers on 27 May, the day after his "joke" about rape. Photo: Rene B. Lumawag/PA Images. All rights reserved.
On 26 May, Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte spoke to troops on the island of Mindanao where he had just imposed martial law in response to Islamist militant activities in the town of Marawi. His comments preemptively absolved troops for committing rape and other human rights abuses. “For this martial law and the consequences of martial law and the ramifications of martial law, I and I alone would be responsible. Just do your work. I will handle the rest,” he said. “I will be imprisoned for you. If you rape three [women], I will say that I did it."
