Duterte says he never ordered arrest of prostitutes in Davao City

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday said he had never instructed policemen to arrest prostitutes when he was mayor of Davao City.

"I do not allow the police to arrest prostitutes. I do not allow the police in Davao to go to night clubs and inspect the papers. They have no business doing that," Duterte said in a speech before Northern Mindanao barangay chairpersons in Cagayan de Oro City.

Duterte said sex workers in his hometown are only required to undergo regular health checks.

"Tinanggal ko ang vice squad kasi huhulihin lang ng mga g__, dalhin sa opisina tapos titirahin. Kunin pa yung pera," he said.

Prostitution is illegal in the Philippines which is punishable by imprisonment, fine or both under the Revised Penal Code.

Duterte served as mayor of Davao for more than two decades before he became president in 2016 on a campaign promise to rid the country of illegal drugs, crime, and corruption. — BAP, GMA News