Duterte won't apologize for calling US ambassador 'bakla'

President Rodrigo Duterte maintained he was not going to apologize to United States Ambassador Philip Goldberg, saying it is the envoy who needs to apologize to him first.

"Hindi nga siya nag-apologize sa akin, why would I apologize to him? Siya mismo ang nag-una," he said in an ambush interview after a speech made in Camp Teodolfo Baustista in Jolo, Sulu.

In a speech last week, Duterte called Goldberg "bakla" over the envoy's comments during the campaign period. That resulted in the US Depart of State summoning the Philippines envoy in Washington to explain Duterte's comments.

The rift between Duterte and Goldberg started after the former Davao City mayor made a controversial remark over the rape of an Australian missionary in 1989.

Australian Ambassador Amanda Gorely reacted saying rape and murder should never be trivialized.

Goldberg, in a television interview, supported Gorely's position.

Duterte said he was hurt by Goldberg's statement during the campaign.

"Talagang nasaktan ako kasi election time eh. Ngayon, medyo okay na ako. Sino ba ang hindi magalit, election time tapos magbitaw ka ng salita na ganoon?" he said.

Washington summoned Filipino charge d'affaires Patrick Chuasato to explain Duterte's remarks, which the US called  "inappropriate and unacceptable."

Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella on Thursday that explanations have already been made to the State Department, while defending the comments as not meant for the public. Duterte himself expressed confidence that US-Philippine ties remain strong. —JST, GMA News