Duterte kneeling, praying to God: Spare us from ISIS

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte witnesses the program proper during the launch of the 911Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) at the TESDA Complex in Taguig City on July 30, 2019. TOTO LOZANO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte, who once called God stupid, admitted Monday that he usually kneels to God to spare the Philippines from the wrath of ISIS.

Speaking before newly appointed government officials in Malacañang, Duterte said: “Meron po akong ISIS at ito yung nagbibigay sa akin ng kaba talaga.”

“I am not a person easily swayed itong mga dito, but yung putok, if you are not, you are spectators of the international scene, nakikita naman niyo, nababasa naman ninyo – CNN, you go to YouTube, wherever you are – makita ninyo ngayon,” he added, referring to the atrocities of the international terrorist group.

The President said he feared that Islamic State-initiated violence in Iraq and Syria would spill over to the Philippines.

“Ang tinatakutan ko ‘yung… just like Iraq, Syria na maraming inosenteng taong nadadali. Talagang ako’y nagdarasal. I’m praying. I really pray. Talagang lumuluhod ako sa Diyos na to spare us the kind of brutality and cruelty in our country because it will really be bloody,” he said.

“Bloody as it can ever be. Ayaw kong mag-umpisa. Ayaw ko naman sa panahon ko na gagawin mo sa akin ‘yan. Do it some other time pero ‘wag sa akin. Hindi talaga ako papayag at hindi ako magpalugi,” he added. /kga