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Women's group slams Duterte's rape joke


The Gabriela Women's Party said President Rodrigo Duterte's rape joke at the height of the implementation of martial law in Mindanao is the "height of insensitivity."

"Rape is not a joke. Martial law and the heightened vulnerability to military abuse that it brings to women and children are not a joke either," the group said in a statement.

"President Duterte must be reminded that a rape joke made even as women and children's lives are in great danger and when liberties and basic rights are being attacked is the height of insensitivity."

Earlier, while visiting soldiers in Iligan CIty, Duterte expressed his support and in jest said he could even go to jail for the soldiers if they committed rape.

“‘Pag naka-rape ka ng tatlo, aminin ko na akin iyon," Duterte said.

"‘Pag nag-asawa ka ng apat, t—ina, bugbugin ka ng—ito si Delfin,” he added in apparent reference to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.

The group demanded that the President promote the interest and protection of women and children from abuse and to lift martial law in Mindanao immediately.

The group also said the joke only emboldens soldiers to "systematically use rape as a tool of war and subject women to further abuse and impunity." — BAP, GMA News

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