MANILA — Critics have unloaded on President Rodrigo Duterte on a plethora of issues, but he wants to know if they've done their part making the country better.
"Instead of asking what's happening to your country, ask what step are you taking to [solve its problems]," Duterte said, speaking to guests at Manny Pacquiao's birthday celebration in General Santos City.
"Kung sinasabi ninyo na isang taon lang ako, so be it. Kung mamatay ako, kung tanggalin ako, so be it."
(If they say I'm only good for a year, so be it. If I die, if I'm ousted, so be it.)
Duterte has used a more forceful tone in the past 24 hours, an annoyance that apparently began on Friday when the Millennium Challenge Corp. decided to halt its assistance to the country because of apparent concerns over mounting human rights violations.
He has lashed out at his usual targets — the United States, the United Nations and the Liberal Party.
In General Santos City, Duterte told foreign soldiers based in the country to "start packing your things," to "get out" because he doesn't "want to see any military foreigner in the Philippines."
In a press conference in Zamboanga City earlier on Saturday, Duterte reiterated his plans to repeal the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the U.S.
Duterte explained that if foreign soldiers want to stay or return to the country, it shouldn't be for free.
"You want to come back here? You pay us. Pera-pera na lang tayo, buti pa (Let's make this just about money then. That's much better.)," he said.
Duterte said he also doesn't want foreign soldiers to teach Filipinos about warfare since local soldiers are "more durable" and "more brave."
"Do not teach us about warfare we have the longest insurgency problem right here," he said.
He also hit supporters of the Liberal Party, whom he said plans to oust him.
"[Ang] mga yellow, gusto nila akong tanggalin. Eh di sige, paaningkamot mo (magpursigi kayo) (The yellows want to oust me. Go ahead, do your best)," he said.
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