40% of NPA soldiers are gay, Duterte claims

President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday claimed that some "40 percent" of New People Army (NPA) rebel soldiers are gay.

The President made the remark while he was telling a story during a speech in Biñan, Laguna.

"Alam ba ninyo that 40 percent ng NPA ngayon na sundalo, bakla?" Duterte said, drawing laughter and cheers from the audience.

The NPA is the armed wing of the Communist Part of the Philippines.

"Ibig sabihin, hindi ito 'yung sabihin mo 'yung bakla, bakla lang na ano. I mean ano lang 'yan eh, a tag. Actually as natural as kung makakita ng gwapo, mga gaga," he added.

NPA rebels recently turned over hostages in a ceremony led by his son Baste Duterte and former Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Bong Go.

"Kahit 'yung anak ko, nagtaka ako, bakit sabi nila si Baste talaga, ibigay nila yung sundalo na bihag nila. Kaya pagdating doon, si Baste pala ang gusto ng mga gaga," Duterte said, drawing more laughs from the audience. — MDM, GMA News