Hecklers greet Duterte at Independence Day rites in Kawit

Hecklers calling him a traitor greeted President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday during the 120th Independence Day rites in Kawit, Cavite.

Just as when Duterte was about to deliver his speech, the rallyists, gathered under the rain, started chanting "Duterte traydor!" and "Huwad na kalayaan."

"Let them. Our Constitution guarantees freedom of press, freedom of assembly and free expression," Duterte said.

He then directed the policemen to "deal with them peacefully" and exercise maximum tolerance.

"We may not understand each other but at least there's a common denominator, and that is love of country," Duterte said.

Criticized for his violent war on illegal drugs that is blamed for a spate of killings, Duterte later said he loves everybody.

"'Yung mga nag-protesta, mahal ko rin sila. Ayaw niyo maniwala? Yun ang totoo," he said.

Duterte was delivering his speech as of posting time. —KBK, GMA News