This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-37515642
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Rodrigo Duterte 'happy to slaughter' addicts as Hitler did Jews | Rodrigo Duterte 'happy to slaughter' addicts as Hitler did Jews |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has compared his anti-drug campaign to the Holocaust, saying he would kill as many addicts as Hitler did Jews. | Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has compared his anti-drug campaign to the Holocaust, saying he would kill as many addicts as Hitler did Jews. |
"Hitler massacred three million Jews... there's three million drug addicts. I'd be happy to slaughter them," he said. | "Hitler massacred three million Jews... there's three million drug addicts. I'd be happy to slaughter them," he said. |
At least six million Jews as well as other minorities are known to have been killed by the Nazis. | At least six million Jews as well as other minorities are known to have been killed by the Nazis. |
Mr Duterte has overseen a bloody crackdown on drug users and dealers since taking office in June. | Mr Duterte has overseen a bloody crackdown on drug users and dealers since taking office in June. |
Official figures say more than 3,000 people have been killed in police operations or by vigilantes. | Official figures say more than 3,000 people have been killed in police operations or by vigilantes. |
The bodies of those killed are often left out in public, with signs listing the crimes they were accused of. | The bodies of those killed are often left out in public, with signs listing the crimes they were accused of. |
The president has openly said he would "kill 100,000 criminals" to reduce crime in the Philippines. | The president has openly said he would "kill 100,000 criminals" to reduce crime in the Philippines. |
'Disgusting rhetoric' | 'Disgusting rhetoric' |
Mr Duterte was speaking in Davao, the city where as mayor he implemented a tough anti-crime policy and was accused of sanctioning death squads to kill criminals. | Mr Duterte was speaking in Davao, the city where as mayor he implemented a tough anti-crime policy and was accused of sanctioning death squads to kill criminals. |
He told reporters he had been "portrayed to be some cousin of Hitler" as he lashed out critics who he said were accusing him of genocide. | |
"Hitler massacred three million Jews, now, there is three million drug addicts. I'd be happy to slaughter them," he said. | "Hitler massacred three million Jews, now, there is three million drug addicts. I'd be happy to slaughter them," he said. |
The most recent figures in the Philippines - released earlier in the week - suggests the number of drug users in the country is closer to 1.8 million, just 1.8% of the overall population, according to local news website Rappler. | |
Mr Duterte's rambling speech continued: "At least if Germany had Hitler, the Philippines would have..." - at which point he is reported to have pointed to himself. | |
His comments were criticised as "outrageous" by Jewish groups, Reuters reports. | His comments were criticised as "outrageous" by Jewish groups, Reuters reports. |
"Duterte owes the [Holocaust] victims an apology for his disgusting rhetoric," said Rabbi Abraham Cooper of the US-based Simon Wiesenthal Center. | "Duterte owes the [Holocaust] victims an apology for his disgusting rhetoric," said Rabbi Abraham Cooper of the US-based Simon Wiesenthal Center. |
The US-based Jewish group the Anti-Defamation League said the comments were "inappropriate and deeply offensive". | The US-based Jewish group the Anti-Defamation League said the comments were "inappropriate and deeply offensive". |
"It is baffling why any leader would want to model himself after such a monster," said communications director Todd Gutnick. | "It is baffling why any leader would want to model himself after such a monster," said communications director Todd Gutnick. |
Mr Duterte also used the speech to once again accuse the West of hypocrisy over their criticism of his brutal crackdown. | |
"You US, EU. You can call me anything. But I was never into... hypocrisy like you," he said. | |
"There are migrants escaping from the Middle East. You allow them to rot and then you're worried about the death of about 1,000, 2,000, 3,000?" |