Protesters disrupt Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte’s Independence Day speech over South China Sea disputes
He asked law enforcers to deal with the troublemakers ‘with maximum tolerance’ as the audience, which included ambassadors, waited
A group of left-wing activists heckled and disrupted a televised Independence Day speech Tuesday by the Philippine president and called him a “traitor” amid criticism of his handling of territorial disputes with China.
President Rodrigo Duterte briefly halted his speech during the commotion and calmly watched from a historic balcony in Kawit town, south of Manila, as police pulled the protesters away. He asked law enforcers to deal with the protesters “with maximum tolerance” as the audience, which included ambassadors, waited.
“Just let them … our constitution guarantees freedom of the press, freedom of assembly and expression,” Duterte said as the small but rowdy group of young protesters yelled “Oust Duterte”, “Traitor”, and “Fascist”.
The president later resumed his speech, which focused on his battle against illegal drugs, corruption and terrorism, in the house in Cavite province where Philippine independence from Spain was declared on June 12, 1898.
“We may not understand each other but, at least, there is a common denominator and that is love of country,” Duterte said. “Nobody but nobody can ever question my love for the country.”