I curse because Carpio, Del Rosario insist on blaming me for WPS woes – Duterte

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte said on Wednesday that he had been cussing and acting rude because he had become so “pissed off” at critics for blaming him for the incursions of Chinese ships in the West Philippine Sea.

He was referring in particular to former Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio and former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario.

“[CURSING] The reason I’ve become rude is, you know, you’re forcing me to become really pissed off. You want me to assume responsibility for your mistake,” he said in Filipino during his pre-recorded briefing.

[Original statement: “T*ng in*ng ‘yan.  Kaya ako naging bastos kasi, you know, pinipilit ninyo akong maging talagang pissed off na. Iyong kasalanan mo gusto mo ako ang mag-{ako).”]

Towards the end of his expletive-laden tirade against the Carpio and Del Rosario, Duterte spoke more about his temper.

“You know, in truth, however formal I am,when I start to speak, even in from of the president before, even in front of  [Presidnet] Gloria [Macapagal-Arroyo], it just comes out. I don’t mean it. I can’t restrain myself,” he said.

“But mouth, I can’t tame it right away — especially when I’m angry. So it‘s up to you to be patient. Anyway, it’s not the face of the president that’s cursing. So what does it matter if I curse when I’m cursing our enemies — Filipinos who are crazy,” he added.

[Original statement: “Pero ‘yong bunganga ko, hindi ko ma-ano kaagad eh.  Eh lalo na kung nagagalit ako, so kayo na ang magpasensya.  Tutal, hindi naman mukha ng presidente ang nagmumura, ano ba naman ‘yong mura tutal ang minumura ko ‘yong mga kalaban natin, ‘yong mga Pilipino na mga ulol.”]

Duterte was referring to his recent spat with Carpio and Del Rosario — both outspoken critics of his  administration’s approach to the maritime dispute. The two officials believe that the president must assert the country’s 2016 victory against China in the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) at The Hague.

The PCA ruled that the Philippines had exclusive rights to the West Philippine Sea and that China’s nine-dash line territorial claim had no historical and legal basis.

However, Duterte said that he was not ready to risk a lot— including the lives of Filipino soldiers — should the country assert its rights and end up provoking military conflict with China.

Earlier in his briefing, Duterte challenged Carpio to a debate on the issue, as he downplayed the latter’s credentials as a former member of the Supreme Court.

The maritime dispute between the Philippines and China again drew public attention last March when reports came out that over 200 Chinese Maritime Militia boats were spotted near the Julian Felipe Reef, which is within the country’s exclusive economic zone.

Duterte’s foul language prompted sharper criticism recently after presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said that only the president — and none of the Cabinet members — could curse, even in matters of diplomacy.

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