Rodrigo Duterte Spokesman Attempts To Clarify Philippine President’s Comparison To Hitler
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s self-comparison to Adolf Hitler has resulted in an international backlash after he compared the Jews to the drug dealers in his country. He claimed the slaughter of the Jews is equivalent to what he would like to do to the three million drug dealers in the Philippines.
“I’d be happy to slaughter them.”
The comparison began when Duterte stated that Hitler slaughtered three million Jews during the Holocaust. He then went on to state that there are nearly three million drug dealers in the Philippines. The obvious correlation, in his mind, is that all of the drug dealers should be systematically murdered in a similar fashion to the Jewish people of World War II.
As he concluded his comparison, he pointed to himself, claiming that he is the Hitler of the Philippines, according to Metro.
“If Germany had Hitler, the Philippines would have…’ before pausing and pointing to himself.”
The remarks sent outrage across the world.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte apologizes to Jews over Hitler remark https://t.co/dT9opzoiyz
— TIME (@TIME) October 2, 2016
Duterte attempted to justify his comments by stating he would eradicate the drug dealers, so future generations would not have to suffer at their hands and could live a peaceful life without threat of crime of poverty.
“You know my victims. I would like [them] to be all criminals, to finish the problem of my country and save the next generation from perdition.”
Despite his poorly chosen comparison regarding how to handle the drug issues in his country, Duterte’s spokesman, Ernesto Abella, took to the airwaves to clarify the statements and express a sincere apology to everyone that was offended.
“The President recognizes the deep significance of the Jewish experience especially their tragic and painful history. We do not wish to diminish the profound loss of six million Jews in the Holocaust — that deep midnight of their story as a people.”
Abella continued to explain that the words used by President Duterte reflect how his opponents view him as a mass murderer. He chose to use the words to show that he is only out to dismantle the drug trade, but the reference was taken out of context by those that became upset, according to CNN.
“The President’s reference to the slaughter was an oblique deflection of the way he has been pictured as a mass murderer.”
Abella further clarified the statement by claiming that the President Duterte used the Jewish Holocaust to proclaim police action against the illegal activity of the drug operations, in an effort to “result in salvation” to the people of the Philippines.
Trump-like Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte invokes Hitler and urges genocide against drug addicts https://t.co/Gq8l74QlnK
— Daily Kos (@dailykos) October 1, 2016
Despite the horrific comparison of the Jewish people to drug dealers, the Duterte administration is angry that the world would suggest Duterte’s comments likened him to Hitler in any way, other than the positive manner he intended them to reference.
“[The Presidential Palace] deplores the Hitler allusion of President Duterte’s anti-drug war as another crude attempt to vilify the President in the eyes of the world.”
The World Jewish Congress reacted to President Duterte’s comments almost immediately, demanding an apology for the horrific remarks.
“We just marked the 75th anniversary of Babi Yar, the massacre of more than 33,000 Jews in Ukraine by Nazi Germany…. Now, the elected leader of the Philippines openly calls for the mass murder of people who are addicted to drugs.”
Although everyone can agree that drug abuse and drug cartels are horrific, choosing to use Hitler’s Holocaust as positive example regarding their demise is not the proper method of battling the drug industry.
[Featured Image by Creative Photo Corner/Shutterstock]
