Agence France-Presse

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2016/nation/03/16/rodrigo-duterte.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">Philippine presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte. ABS-CBN News</div></figcaption></figure></div>MANILA, Philippines - Philippine presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte Saturday renewed his vow to kill criminals as the tough-talking favorite hit the stump in the capital heading into the home stretch of a controversial campaign.Seen by fans and foes alike as a real-life &quot;Dirty Harry&quot; from a southern city made infamous by shadowy vigilante death squads, the 71-year-old mayor of Davao is the surprise favorite in the race to succeed President Benigno Aquino III.&quot;The drug pushers, kidnappers, robbers, find them all and arrest them. If they resist, kill them all,&quot; he told about 2,000 people who cheered and shook their fists during a central Manila rally shortly after midnight.&quot;Go ahead and charge me with murder, so I could also kill you.&quot;Duterte had earlier pledged to kill 100,000 criminals and dump so many in Manila Bay that the &quot;fish will grow fat&quot; from feeding on them.More than 50 million people in the mainly Catholic Asian nation are qualified to vote on May 9 with Duterte holding a clear lead over four other candidates, including Aquino&#x27;s preferred successor.Analysts say Duterte&#x27;s profanity-laced campaign resonates in a chaotic, high-crime society with limited opportunities for a vast underclass working for a tiny elite.This was despite having called Pope Francis a &quot;son of a bitch&quot; and making crass comments about the jailhouse rape of an Australian lay Christian missionary who was killed in a 1989 prison riot in Duterte&#x27;s own city.READ: <a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/halalan2016/nation/04/20/16/its-final-duterte-takes-back-rape-remark">It&#x27;s final: Duterte takes back rape remark</a>His April 12 comments, in which he suggested that as mayor he should have been the first in line to rape the victim, drew widespread public condemnation, including from the ambassadors of key allies the United States and Australia.READ: <a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/halalan2016/nation/04/21/16/duterte-says-he-may-cut-us-australia-ties">Duterte says he may cut US, Australia ties</a>The unrepentant candidate later told the envoys to &quot;shut up&quot; and steer clear of domestic politics, while also grudgingly issuing an apology over the rape comments.He has also vowed to hold direct talks with China to resolve overlapping claims in the South China Sea, in a reversal of Aquino&#x27;s policy of multilateral discussions with other claimants and international arbitration.Prior to the Manila rally, Duterte met late Friday with Eduardo Manalo, chief minister of the conservative religious group Church of Christ to seek the support of the influential organization, known by its initials INC.The group, which does not disclose its membership size, votes as one in line with what followers describe as biblical doctrines on unity. Politicians routinely make a beeline for its support during elections.&quot;I laid out my program to fight crime, illegal drugs and corruption.... Should God will me to win, I will fight for the rights as well as the religious freedom of millions of INC members,&quot; Duterte said in a statement.INC spokesmen confirmed the meeting Saturday.The Duterte meeting meant all four of the major presidential candidates have met with the INC leader.

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte Saturday renewed his vow to kill criminals as the tough-talking favorite hit the stump in the capital heading into the home stretch of a controversial campaign.

Top Philippine candidate pushes 'kill criminals' message

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

Nation

Top Philippine candidate pushes 'kill criminals' message

Agence France-Presse

Published Apr 23, 2016 03:38 PM PHT

Read More:

Rodrigo Duterte

Halalan2016

presidential elections

instant article

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.