President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Friday called Russian President Vladimir Putin "suicidal," warning people to "watch out" for him following the latter's invasion of Ukraine.
The President made the statement during the inauguration of Narvacan Farmers Market in Ilocos Sur on Friday, March 4.
"I just prayed to God that this will not really go out of control. 'Pag hindi ito na-control delikado ang mundo once they start to push the buttons of nuclear bombs, sabi nga ng isang commentator it will melt the world,” Duterte said.
[ I just prayed to God that this will not really go out of control. If it is not controlled, the world will be endangered once they start to push the buttons of nuclear bombs, as one commentator said, it will melt the world.]
Duterte also recalled the statement he made six years ago before he became president about Russia.
"I made a statement six years ago before I became the president, pinadescribe at tinanong ako about Russia and nagkaano na talaga sila sabi ko Americans will never stomach death and destruction. Takot sila, takot sila," he said.
[I made a statement six years ago before I became the president, they let me describe and asked me about Russia and I said Americans will never stomach death and destruction. They are scared.]
"But you watch out for Putin, he is suicidal, talagang pag mapahiya siya dito magwawala ‘yan and I realize it when I went to Russia. I had a talk with him on all aspects of life. Sabi niya na magkaibigan tayo, sabi ko wala akong away sa inyo," he added.
[But you watch out for Putin, he is suicidal if he gets embarrassed he will be enraged. I realized this when I went to Russia. I had a talk with him on all aspects of life. He said we were friends, I said we don’t have anything to fight about.
And although the country must stay neutral on the matter, the President said we would eventually have to decide which side we would be on.
"We stay neutral but reality tells me in the end we just have to select which side we would be. Ako umaga pa nagbabantay na ako bahala na magpatayan sila doon 'wag lang gumamit ng nuclear device because talo na tayong lahat, pati tayo damay," he stated.
[We stay neutral but reality tells me, in the end, we just have to select which side we would be. I'm still monitoring this morning, for me, it is up to them to kill each other, just don't use a nuclear device because we will lose, including us.]
Duterte earlier had a “special meeting” with the military, police, and some Cabinet members to discuss the ongoing Russia-Ukraine crisis.
The President has only visited Russia twice.
