Palace on rape joke: Duterte speaking with heightened bravado

Malacañang on Saturday defended President Rodrigo Duterte's latest rape joke made before troops in Iligan City.

"PRRD is decisively acting, speaking with heightened bravado, that law and order would be brought back in these areas of rebellion in the soonest time possible and that normalcy would likewise be restored with minimal loss of lives," presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a statement.

"In Iligan, he gave his full support to the men and women in uniform, taking complete responsibility for their actions, even exaggeratedly describing crimes like taking a fourth wife," Abella said.

He assured the public that Duterte "has the whole nation's safety and protection in mind."

Abella came out with the explanation as Duterte's latest rape joke drew criticisms from various groups.

On Friday, Duterte joked before members of the Philippine Army's 2nd Mechanized Infantiry Brigade in Iligan City.

The President made the visit three days after placing the entire Mindanao under martial law, which was prompted by the attack of Maute group members in nearby Marawi City. —John Ted Cordero/ALG, GMA News