Duterte’s self-contradictions

President Duterte is probably the most publicly foul-mouthed head of the Philippines ever, or of any other democratic nation, for that matter. He often talks about the Asian attitude of politeness which presumably the Americans lack. Yet in his usual self-contradictory way, he heaves gangster-like cuss words at other leaders he dislikes. Which shows anything but Asian politeness.

On the other hand, those who have been victimized by his verbal abuse such as the Americans, the Pope, the UN chief, and the European Union have responded in measured and responsible ways, rather than stoop down to his level, showing in the process that they are the exact opposite of how Mr. Duterte describes them.

A leader leads by example. If Mr. Duterte’s incoherent foreign policy, outright sellout of the West Philippine Sea to the Chinese for a few billion yuan, barbaric prodding of the police to kill his own people instead of offering rehabilitation, and last but not least, backyard foul-mouthed pronouncements (these coming from a President who presumably seeks peace but promotes violence) are the examples that we, the Filipino people, are asked to emulate, God help us!

JENNY TAN, Manila