Spokesman explains: Duterte’s ‘kill the bishops’ remark just means ‘stop criticizing’

PRESIDENTIAL Spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo yesterday said President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s statement last Wednesday that bishops in the country should be killed was “only for dramatic effect.” Mr. Duterte, in his remarks at a Palace event on Dec. 5, said: “Itong mga obispo ninyo, patayin ninyo. Walang

silbi yang mga gagong yan (These bishops of yours, kill them. Those fools are useless). All they do is criticize.” Asked for comment during a Palace briefing on Thursday, Dec. 6, Mr. Panelo explained: “I think that’s only a hyperbole on the part of the President. We should be getting used to this President. He makes certain statements for dramatic effect. But he actually means stop criticizing and do some good for this country, help us.” —