Philippines' Duterte defends China gambit in annual address
MANILA: Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte launched a spirited defence of his relationship with China on Monday , insisting that his refusal to challenge its maritime assertiveness was not capitulation, but an avoidance of conflict.
His opponents have pressured him to take a tougher line after last month's sinking of a Philippine fishing boat by a Chinese vessel, and point to Beijing's increased coast guard and fishing militia in disputed water as a sign of insincerity. "Let me assure you, national honour and territorial integrity are at the foremost of my mind," he added.CALLS TO REINSTATE DEATH PENALTY
"I respectfully request congress to reinstate the death penalty for heinous crimes related to drugs as well as plunder," he said referring also to the nation's deep rooted corruption problem. "Duterte - extrajudicial killing - report to the ICC," he said."If you can provide me with a good comfortable cell, heated during winter time ... unlimited conjugal visits, we can understand each other."
Alcohol and tobacco"should be exterminated from the face of the earth" as they had given him health problems, he added.
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