US summons Filipino envoy over Duterte’s ‘bakla’ remarks vs. Goldberg

The US Department of State has summoned the Philippines' charge d'affaires in Washington to explain what it called "inappropriate comments" that President Rodrigo Duterte's made against US Ambassador Philip Goldberg.

Elizabeth Trudeau, the director of the State Department press office, said the department had summoned Filipino charge d'affaires Patrick Chuasoto on Monday in the US.

"The first, specifically on the remarks, we’ve seen those inappropriate comments made about Ambassador Goldberg. He’s a multi-time ambassador, one of our most senior U.S. diplomats," Trudeau said in a news briefing.

"We have asked the Philippines charge to come into the State Department to clarify those remarks," he added.

Asked about the details of the Filipino diplomat's meeting at the department, Trudeau said, "I’m not going to read out that detailed conversation, but it was specifically on those remarks."

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.

Duterte over the past weeks have met US Secretary of State John Kerry and Goldberg.

“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 found himself in a controversy over 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. —NB, GMA News