Philippines President Duterte Tells European Union 'F--k You' Over Drug War Killings

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is not happy with the European Union for criticizing the growing number of police killings under his administration.

During a press conference with local reporters in the city of Davao, the Philippine president raised his middle finger and said Tuesday: “I read the condemnation of the European Union against me. I will tell them f--- you.”

Duterte went on to say, “And then the European Union now has the gall to condemn me. I repeat it, f--- you.” Since he took office in June, there have been more than 3,000 people killed by Philippine police waging a violent war against narcotics.

The EU took a more tactful approach in its reply. “The European Union and the Philippines enjoy good relations, and we will continue to discuss this issue, among many others, in our bilateral contacts and with the authorities,” EU Ambassador Franz Jessen said in a statement.

Duterte, 71, won his presidential campaign in May after promising to end the illegal drug trade within six months and vowing to kill 100,000 criminals. Some of the people killed were murdered by police while others were killed by unknown attackers. Duterte has more recently said he would need an additional six months to complete his plan.

“All of you who are into drugs, you sons of bitches, I will really kill you,” Duterte said during his election in April.

Under his watch, at least 16,000 people have been arrested and more than 700,000 have surrendered to authorities, the Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday.

This isn't the first time Duterte has insulted a world leader. Earlier this month, he called President Barack Obama the “son of a whore,” prompting the White House to call off meetings between the two men scheduled during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Laos.