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Duterte cruised streets looking for ‘encounters to kill’

The Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has previously joked about sexual assault.

The Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has previously joked about sexual assault. Photo: Getty

Philippines’ President Rodrigo Duterte maintains the killings he claimed he committed while mayor of a southern city were part of legitimate operations against drug dealers.

Speaking to Filipino journalists travelling with him in Singapore, Mr Duterte said he sometimes cruised the streets on a motorbike looking for “encounters to kill”.

He says he killed three men during a hostage-taking incident in Davao City, where he was mayor for more than 20 years.

Duterte

Supporters rally around Rodrigo Duterte at his final campaign rally. Photo: AAP

“It was not because I was walking around that I killed,” he said.

“It was actually an event that was covered by the TV … I said I killed about three of them.

“I didn’t really know how many bullets from my gun went through inside their bodies.”

The firebrand leader told a gathering of business leaders at the presidential palace on Monday that he had “personally” killed criminals and that he was prowling the city’s streets on a big bike.

Senators have warned Mr Duterte risks impeachment because of his statements about personally killing criminals in Davao.

We do not need American money: Duterte

Mr Duterte has told the United States to prepare for the eventual repeal of a military deal that allows Washington to deploy troops and equipment for exercises in the country.

Duterte also said the Philippines can survive “without American money” after a US aid agency put on hold a decision to fund anti-poverty programs in the country.

“We do not need you,” Duterte said in a news conference after arriving from visits to Cambodia and Singapore.

“Prepare to leave the Philippines. Prepare for the eventual repeal or abrogation of the VFA.”

With AAP and ABC

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