Duterte orders Navy to blow pirates to kingdom come

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the Philippine Navy to “blow to kingdom come” pirates lurking in waters off southern Philippines.

“We are beset with piracy in the Celebes, Sulu Sea and the Indonesian waters… My orders to the Navy… is that if they are positive that they are pirates, you blow them to kingdom come. Kill them all and my problems and that of Filipinos will be solved,” he said. —JULIE M. AURELIO