Youth Commission chair Aiza Seguerra pleads to Duterte: Stop making rape jokes

National Youth Commission chair Aiza Seguerra on Saturday made his feelings known about the latest outrageous remarks made by President Rodrigo Duterte, this time concerning rape.

In a short post on Facebook. Seguerra pleaded to Duterte to stop turning the violent and heinous crime into a punchline.

"Presidente, tama na po ang rape jokes please," Seguerra wrote.

In a speech made on Friday for the 2nd Mechanized Infantry (Magbalantay) Brigade of the Philippine Army in Iligan City, Duterte assured the soldiers that he will take full responsibility for the consequences of his declaring martial law in Mindanao.

To emphasize his point, the President said, “‘Pag naka-rape ka ng tatlo, aminin ko na akin iyon."

The statement was swiftly condemned by women's rights group Gabriela, followed by admonishing statements from opposition senators Risa Hontiveros and Francis Pangilinan.

Meanwhile, Senator Vicente "Tito" Sotto III pointed to the president's wry disposition and asked the public not to take such proclamations seriously.

Duterte during the campaign season was also hit for a remark he made about the tragic fate of Australian missionary Jacqueline Hamill. Hamill was raped and murdered during a hostage-taking in Davao City 1989.

At a rally in April 2016, Duterte famously said, "Dapat mayor muna ang nauna." —ALG, GMA News