Duterte on TIME Magazine cover as one of world's 'strongmen'
PThe TIME article, which was titled "Rise of the Strongman" and written by Ian Bremmer, featured Duterte along with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Turkey President Recept Rayyip Erdogan, and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
The story focused on the global trend of populism of "more muscular, assertive leadership" not only in the United States but all throughout the world.
"These tough-talking populists promise to protect 'us' from 'them.' Depending on who's talking, 'them' can mean the corrupt elite or the grasping poor; foreigners or members of racial, ethnic or religious minorities," the article read.
"Or disloyal politicians, bureaucrats, bankers or judges. Or lying reporters. Out of this divide, a new archetype of leader has emerged. We're now in the strongman era."
Examining Duterte's style of leadership, the article described the firebrand Philippine leader as a "former mayor who talked more like a Mob boss than a President, on his promises to wipe out the drug trade with his own brand of justice."
Duterte, who enjoyed a landslide win in the 2016 presidential race, has defied strong criticisms locally and internationally, as he maintains his stance that his anti-narcotics would remain relentless until he finally wipes out the drug proliferation.
His brutal crackdown on illegal drugs has so far claimed the lives of thousands of suspected drug personalities.
In response to TIME Magazine's cover story, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said Friday, May 4, that d Duterte's "brand of justice" strictly adheres to the rule of law, noting that his administration ensures that all drugrelated deaths undergo "proper investigation."
"Regardless of slant, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has demonstrated strong and decisive leadership -- a quality appreciated by Filipinos as evidenced by the Chief Executive’s high satisfaction, approval, trust and performance ratings," Duterte's spokesman said in a statement.
"Filipinos have learned not to take [Duterte] literally with his colorful language but they have surely taken seriously the issues the President has espoused, such as the war on drugs and crime," he added.
Roque also emphasized that the drug problem was "not only a Philippine concern," but was also "a global burden."
"The Philippines’ war on drugs has been acknowledged by countries and leaders, including Indonesia, China, President Donald Trump and police leaders from other Southeast Asian countries," he said. (Ruth Abbey Gita SunStar Philippines)