Duterte references Peanuts comic strip, calls Davao his 'security blanket'

President Rodrigo Duterte thrives in his image as a tough guy.

So when Duterte brought up a fictional character known for its timidity — from a popular American children's comic strip at that — the comparison caught some by surprise.

Speaking to a Filipino community in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday, Duterte largely didn't touch on anything new.

He drummed up the importance of the illegal drugs campaign and chided the European Union early in his speech with his typical combative tone.

But when he opened up about his affinity for his hometown, that's when he softened up and cited a rather jarring reference.

"My comfort zone is Davao. If I want to regain my equanimity because you tend to lose your . . . to de-stress, makita ko lang iyong kama ko, maamoy ko lang iyong kumot ko na once a year lang nilalabahan, (I feel better)," Duterte said.

"Iyong Peanuts, iyong comic strip na Peanuts, si Linus, totoo iyan. Totoo iyan, security blank."

Linus is one of the characters of Peanuts, a popular American comic strip. He and his blanket are inseparable, which alludes to his need for some psychological comfort.