Duterte calls US ambassador 'bakla' over campaign comments

It looks like President Rodrigo Duterte remains at odds with United States Ambassador Philip Goldberg despite having met a few times after the elections.

In a speech delivered late Friday night at Camp Lapu-Lapu in Cebu City, Duterte called Goldberg “bakla” or “gay” for comments the envoy made during the campaign.

“Okay naman kami niya [US Secretary of State John Kerry]. Nag-away kami ng Ambassador niyang bakla. P— i—. Buwisit ako diyan. Nakikisali doon sa eleksyon, giving statement here and there. He was not supposed to do that,” said Duterte while telling the soldiers about Kerry's recent visit to the country.

During the campaign, Duterte got into hot water over a campaign speech where he made remarks about the rape of an Australian missionary in 1989.

Australian Ambassador Amanda Gorely posted Twitter that rape and murder should never be trivialized. Goldberg seconded Gorely's sentiments, which did not sit well with Duterte.

Duterte dared the United States and Australia to cut off diplomatic ties with the Philippines after their respective envoys commented on his viral joke on the rape

Duterte and Goldberg last met when Kerry paid a courtesy call to Malacañang on July 27.

“Si Kerry pumunta dito, kumain kami. Iniwanan pa kami, si [National Defense Secretary] Delfin [Lorenzana] ng $33 million [$32 million]. Okay ito ah. Bastusin natin ulit para mag-areglo itong buang na ito. Pera pala ito,” Duterte said in jest. —JST, GMA News