MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday said he does not allow the police to arrest prostitutes in Davao City, where he was mayor for over two decades.

“Sa Davao, sabihin ko sa iyo, walang hinuhuli na prostitute. I don’t allow the police to arrest prostitutes. I don’t allow the police in Davao to go to night clubs and inspect the papers. They have no business doing that,” he said.

The President said he prefers city health officers to conduct inspections in the city’s night clubs.

“Ang sinabi ko lang sa mga babae doon, you just submit yourself to examination sa city health [officer] at okay na,” he said.

“Gamit ka lang ng condom, wala ka ng problema. Tinanggal ko ang vice squad kasi huhulhin lang ng mga g***, dalhin sa opisina tapos titirahin. Kunin pa yung pera.”

The president, however, did not say whether he wants to adopt such a policy on a national level.

Prostitution is punishable with imprisonment or a fine under the Revised Penal Code.

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