Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte tells Obama to 'go to hell'
On Tuesday, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte once again attacked President Obama, this time telling the president to "go to hell." The remark was Duterte's response to criticism about his country's drug crackdown — which has killed more than 3,000 suspected drug dealers and users since June, when Duterte assumed office.
"Instead of helping us, the first to hit was the State Department. So you can go to hell, Mr. Obama. You can go to hell," Duterte said, arguing that the U.S. should have supported his efforts instead of focusing on the death toll. As for the European Union, which also criticized Duterte's crackdown, he said: "Better choose purgatory, hell is full already."
In another speech later Tuesday, Duterte suggested he would "break up with America," though it was unclear whether he meant he'd cut ties during his six-year term. "I would rather go to Russia and to China," Duterte said, pointing out that both countries have said they could provide his country with weapons — something the U.S. has refused to do.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Just last month, Obama canceled a meeting with Duterte after the Philippines leader called him a "son of a bitch" over Obama's suggestion they'd discuss human rights. Last week, Duterte compared himself to Adolf Hitler and said he would be "happy to slaughter" the country's "three million drug addicts."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Drugmakers paid pharmacy benefit managers to avoid restricting opioid prescriptions
Under the radar The middlemen and gatekeepers of insurance coverage have been pocketing money in exchange for working with Big Pharma
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
The week's best photos
In Pictures A cyclone's aftermath, a fearless leap, and more
By Anahi Valenzuela, The Week US Published
-
The Imaginary Institution of India: a 'compelling' exhibition
The Week Recommends 'Vibrant' show at the Barbican examines how political upheaval stimulated Indian art
By The Week UK Published
-
Trump, Musk sink spending bill, teeing up shutdown
Speed Read House Republicans abandoned the bill at the behest of the two men
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Congress reaches spending deal to avert shutdown
Speed Read The bill would fund the government through March 14, 2025
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Luigi Mangione charged with murder, terrorism
Speed Read Magnione is accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Ex-FBI informant pleads guilty to lying about Bidens
Speed Read Alexander Smirnov claimed that President Joe Biden and his son Hunter were involved in a bribery scheme with Ukrainian energy company Burisma
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
South Korea impeaches president, eyes charges
Speed Read Yoon Suk Yeol faces investigations on potential insurrection and abuse of power charges
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Biden sets new clemency record, hints at more
Speed Read President Joe Biden commuted a record 1,499 sentences and pardoned 39 others convicted of nonviolent crimes
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Mysterious drones roil New Jersey, prompt FBI inquiry
Speed Read State and federal officials are both stumped and concerned
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
South Korean president vows to fight removal
Speed Read Yoon Suk Yeol defended his martial law decree and said he will not step down, despite impeachment efforts
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published