Locsin: Duterte is not a bully but a ‘man of strong feelings’

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. speaks at a press conference during the Asia-Europe Meeting summit at the European Council in Brussels on Oct. 19, 2018. (Photo by BEN STANSALL / AFP)

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte is not a bully but a man of “strong feelings,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said on Friday.

“President is a bully? My a**,” he said on Twitter. “[He is] a man of strong feelings.”

President is a bully? My ass. He speaks strongly at you; then speak strongly at him. Don't whine. Watched video of him running his fingers down the names of the killed at Balangiga; realized he lives as much in our terrible past as in our present. A man of strong real feelings. https://t.co/eggq7ewIRc

— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) December 21, 2018

Locsin was reacting to a netizen’s claim of Duterte being a bully and that he should be blamed for bullying incidents that involved students at the Ateneo Junior High School.

Locsin further defended Duterte, saying if he would speak fiercely, the person must complain and also speak strongly at Duterte.

“He speaks strongly at you. Then speak strongly at him. Don’t whine,” he said.

He also noted that Duterte even condoned the people killed in the Balangiga massacre on Sept. 28, 1901 during the Philippine-American War.

“Watched video of him running his fingers down the names of the killed at Balangiga; realized he lives as much in our terrible past as in our present,” Locsin said. /atm