CHR condemns Rody’s latest rape joke
MANILA – The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Sunday condemned President Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte’s rape joke as he assured troops of his protection during the implementation of martial law in Mindanao.
“It is in this context that the Commission on Human Rights condemns the President’s recent remarks before the military troops in Iligan City assuring his protection over soldiers who may commit rape during martial law in Mindanao,” the CHR aid in a statement.
The CHR echoed comments that “rape is never a joke.”
“Women – especially those poor and vulnerable who bear the brunt of the ongoing violence on the ground – are not objects of ridicule either,” it said.
Karapatan-affiliated women’s group Tanggol Bayi has also condemned the latest rape joke of Duterte. It cited alleged “countless incidents of rape” by the military during martial law declared by the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos and 12 rape cases, also allegedly committed by military men, during the time of former president Benigno Aquino III.
It reiterated that rape is a heinous crime and should “never be a laughing matter.
Duterte, during the campaign season, was also hit for a remark he made about the tragic fate of Australian missionary Jacqueline Hamill, who was raped and murdered during a hostage- taking in Davao City 1989.
The CH Rs aid it will continue monitoring t he government’s implementation of martial law in Mindanao and the operations in Marawi City, which was attacked by members of local terror group Maute last week.