Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte says "beautiful woman" are to blame for rape crisis

Philippine dictator Rodrigo Duterte, whom Trump envies and greatly admires for his ruthlessness and cruelty, told people at a public event that his country's rape crisis is the victims' fault. "They say there are many rape cases in Davao," Duterte said. "Well, for as long as there are many beautiful women, there will be many rape cases, too."

From The New York Times:

The president appeared in his comments to be referring to a recent report by the Philippine National Police, which found that Davao recorded the highest number of rapes among major cities in the Philippines in the second quarter of the year.

The police said 42 people had reported being raped in Davao between April and June period. Critics contend that the latest data alone shatter the myth being sold by the president that Davao was free of crime and the safest city in the country.

Harry Roque, Mr. Duterte's spokesman, tried to limit the fallout from the president's comments, suggesting he was not a misogynist because he had appointed several women to key positions in his government.

"I don't think we should give too much weight on what the president says by way of a joke," Mr. Roque said, adding that residents of the southern Philippines tended to be less easily offended than their compatriots in the capital.

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