Australian envoy says rape and murder not a laughing matter

Australia's top envoy to the Philippines on Monday expressed dismay about jokes on rape and murder, in light of presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte's controversial speech that made light of the 1989 sexual assault and killing of an Australian missionary.

"Rape and murder should never be joked about or trivialized," Australian Ambassador Amanda Gorely said in a statement on Twitter. "Violence against women and girls is unacceptable anytime, anywhere."

Rape and murder should never be joked about or trivialised. Violence against women and girls is unacceptable anytime, anywhere.

— Amanda Gorely (@AusAmbPH) April 18, 2016

A video of Duterte during a campaign sortie circulated online wherein the Davao City mayor and his supporters made fun of the incident.

"Nagalit ako kasi ni-rape? Oo. Isa rin 'yun. Pero napakaganda, dapat mayor muna ang nauna. Sayang," the 70-year-old Duterte said, a joke that earned him condemnation from various sectors.

The missionary, who was ministering at a Davao prison in 1989, was taken hostage, gang-raped and killed by inmates. It happened when Duterte was city mayor.

The tough-talking presidential aspirant is known for his bold speeches peppered with profanity and boasts of being a womanizer and even of killing criminals.

Duterte’s camp did not apologize for the statement and merely dismissed it as a joke.

His rivals criticized him for his remarks, saying his words were "unacceptable," and "shows lack of respect for women."

President Benigno S. Aquino III's spokesman said Duterte's actions make him "unfit" for the presidency. —Michaela del Callar/KBK, GMA News