Rodrigo Duterte jokes to soldiers that they can rape women with impunity

'If you had raped three, I will admit it, that's on me' Philippines president tells soldiers on Mindanao island where he has imposed martial law

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has sought to reassure soldiers who might be accused of committing abuses under martial law and jokingly said that if any of them were to rape three women, he would personally claim responsibility for it.

Duterte is notorious for comments often deemed offensive and made the remark as a joke, reiterating that only he would be liable for any backlash over military rule on southern Mindanao island. He has, however, said he would not tolerate abuses.