Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (left) and US President Barack Obama. ARCHIVE

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s strong comments warning US President Barack Obama against raising questions about his war on drugs drew mixed reactions from Filipinos based abroad. Answering a reporter’s question about how he intends to explain the extrajudicial killings to Obama, Duterte responded: “I am a president of a sovereign state and we have long ceased to be a colony. I do not have any master except the Filipino people, nobody but nobody. You must be respectful. Do not just throw questions. I will swear at you in that forum.” “Who is he to confront me?” Duterte said, adding that the Philippines did not even receive an apology for misdeeds committed during the US colonisation of the country where thousands of Muslim Filipinos died during a US pacification campaign. Duterte’s comments apparently prompted Washington to call off their bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Asean summit in Laos. It also drew mixed reactions from Filipinos around the world. Here’s what they had to say:   Independent-minded “It makes me proud that our president sounds independent-minded, irrepressibly asserting our country’s sovereignty. Well and fine, but I also wish he could curb his appetite for wolfing down whoever disagrees with him regarding policy issues. We may disagree without having to be disagreeable. If he could stand on solid ground with confidence on the soundness of his worldview—specifically regarding the war on drugs and the decimation of suspects without due process—surely he would be capable of being cool about stepping on burning coals of criticism without having to throw his weight around like a fire-spitting dragon.” Michael Obenieta, writer, US   Getting people to talk There is a bigger thing that is happening far beyond our understanding that made our president prove a point by saying what he has to say. Was there a better way of saying it? Maybe. It is clear to us that he is now facing a serious war and has no choice but to fight it with publicity game as well to get people to talk about the bigger problem that the country is facing. Xerex Faustino, art director, UAE   Wrong interpretation "I don’t want to sound like an apologist for the Philippine president but this recent media blast is clearly another case of wrong interpretation of what President Rodrigo Duterte actually wanted to say. I think his message was he wants US President Barack Obama to recognize that the Philippines is a sovereign nation and as such, the people’s will is supreme and must be accorded with respect. I think the US will understand this, being the main guardians of democracy." Bernadette Gonzales, education consultant, Laos   It came out callous “Duterte was probably just saying it as it is, but it still came out callous. I support Duterte and I believe he is the catalyst we need in order to achieve the change we are all so hungry for. But now that he is head of state, he must follow a certain decorum befitting a president. It can't all be: it was just a joke, people didn't get it right, it was just a misinterpretation.” Kate Vergara, teacher, Laos   Let him be “It's time to stop being subservient to our big brother America. President Duterte is Duterte so let him be. As the say, ‘You can't teach old dogs new tricks’ so it's next to impossible to get him to change his ways. He is at his best when he speaks like he does. He can't be a copycat of anyone just to fit their expectations.” ‪Carlo Bacalla, sports enthusiast and youth builder‬, Laos   Good that he spoke his mind “Do I agree with what Duterte said? If it's that the US should not meddle in Philippine affairs, yes. Should he have been more diplomatic? Maybe. But it's good that he spoke his mind. The cuss word was certainly not part of what was in his mind. It's just his mannerism.‬” Allister Sanchez, IT professional, France   Must observe etiquette “No doubt our president is one of the best—or quite possibly the best—we have ever had, but since he bears the title of president, he must observe etiquette that goes with that title.” Shawn Ryan Batabat, computer professional, Laos   It was just an expression “I have actually watched the whole video several times and as Filipino language speaker, the "putang ina" term was just simply used by Duterte as an expression. He should have just said "putang ina mo, mumurahin kita” if he really intended to curse Obama.” Roberto Martin Misterio, student program me coordinator, Canada   Work on diplomacy “Although I understand the heart of my president, I also think he needs to work on his diplomacy. He has to stop cussing everyone out and has to change his manner of speaking lest he be misquoted and misinterpreted every step of the way. I am not a fan of America, but we need our allies as well.” Juam Amellabon-Morgia, architect, Philippines   It was not an insult “I do not see it as an insult. A question was thrown. In response, our president gave the media a lesson on the fundamental principle of international law: 'par in parem non habit imperuim' (an equal does not have power over an equal).” Lorena Deenia Real Manuales-Garaygay, lawyer, Philippines   Expletives are crass ‪”Duterte didn't refer to Obama with his use of expletives. It's clear. However, situational expletives are still crass. There are thousands of ways Duterte can express his points without resulting to those choice of words. In diplomacy, we have to be balanced. If Duterte wants to emphasize more on his concern to the Filipino people (which is right) over the relationship to the US, then he may always do so without resulting to putting one country down (USA) while emphasizing ‘allegiance’ to the Filipino people.”‬ Benjie Belotindos, Digital Marketing Specialist, Philippines   Just being honest He’s just being honest and expresses what he thinks and feels. Moeni Paras, entrepreneur, California   ‪Don’t forget the US is an ally‬ “I do not think he was referring to Obama when he said, 'Son of a bi*ch'. With reference to other phrases such as 'Who is he?' or 'Philippines is not a lapdog', I do not think there is any misinterpretation going on. It was clear as day. In fact, he was applauded by his supporters for saying these things. But these words only ignite conflict. The Philippines should not forget that the US is a friend and an ally. Who will the Philippines rely on in hard times? Russia? China?” Rochelle Fin, paralegal, Washington D.C.   Telling it as it is ‪”I actually admire Duterte for telling it as it is. The US may be our ally, but they don't really have our best interest at heart. ‬‬‪I feel like Duterte needs to tone down the expletives, though. They get lost in translation and rub him off the wrong way.‬”‬ ‪Janelle Moran, student‬‬, Philippines   He is sincere “I believe the president is sincere and he says things from the heart, like a father, a brother or a neighbor. He cusses, does 'trash talk' and intimidates people. It is up to us to widen our way of thinking.” Miracle John D. Araña, teacher, Philippines   ‪A better way to deliver message‬ “I agree with everything he said except the cussing part. Maybe next time he can share the part about our sad history in an 'ambassadorial way' so it won't sound as if we hold grudges. There's always a better way to deliver a message. I hope Duterte will learn how to filter his statements.” ‪Hannah Quijano-Geraci, ‪manager, US‬‬   No need for diplomacy “Duterte was answering an absurd question and could not contain his emotion. There is no need for diplomacy. That is why he was voted by the Filipino masses. What you see is what you get with Duterte. He is exactly the image of Filipinos. It is another story if the incident occurred in an international event. He could have been diplomatic.‬” Gill Etulle, teacher, Philippines   Full support ‪"It’s about time the Philippines should have a president who is not a hypocrite. Someone who speaks the truth about issues and not someone who says things just to please other people but whose actions are contrary to their empty promises.‬ ‪I agree that the Filipinos should not think and act as if we are a colony of another state. We are not obligated to explain to the presidents of other nations regarding the issues behind our current war on drugs. ‪ However we should also bear in mind, the even if we are a sovereign country, we cannot deny the fact that the Philippines needs other countries in terms of improving our military forces and even assistance in defending our turf from other more powerful countries. We also need our foreign relations to bring in investments to improve our economy.‬ ‪But that being said, it doesn’t mean that we should act like we are subordinate to them. We should still run our country according to the needs of the Filipinos. ‬As for Duterte, I admire him and fully support him. He has habits and mannerisms that may be repulsing but if you try to see where his outbursts are coming from, you would understand why.‬” Jill Irene Capistrano, cardiologist, Philippines   Proud of what he has done "You do not tell someone how to run their household and expect a cheerful response. you'll get more than an earful." ‬ ‪ "During the past few weeks, I am proud of what Duterte has done for our country. Am I blinded by my admiration? Possibly so. People are worried because he doesn't fit the mould. That's because he doesn't. ‪I wish he had handled himself with more tact when he answered the queries but then again he would not have been the president I admired. ‪He speaks from the heart and wants to stay true to the people he serves." ‪Virgilio Cruz Jr‬, physical therapist, US
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