Firebrand Philippines’ leader Rodrigo Duterte says Obama ‘can go to hell’ as death toll from his vigilante drug squads hits 3,000
The controversial leader's furious outburst comes just weeks after branding Barack Obama the 'son of a whore'
PHILIPPINE leader Rodrigo Duterte has told US President Barack Obama to "go to hell" and warned he will at some point "break up with America".
The controversial president - who has incited the vigilante-style killing of thousands of suspected drug dealers - said the US had refused to sell him weapons.
But he also claimed that he did not care about the rejection - because Russia and China were willing suppliers.
His comments come just weeks after labelling Obama a "son of a whore" - prompting the US president to cancel a scheduled meeting with Duterte.
In his latest salvo, Duterte said he was realigning his foreign policy because the US had failed the Philippines.
He said the US should have supported the Philippines in tackling its chronic drugs problems but that instead it had criticised him for the high death toll, as did the EU.
"Instead of helping us, the first to hit was the State Department. So you can go to hell, Mr Obama, you can go to hell.
"EU, better choose purgatory. Hell is full already. Why should I be afraid of you?"
He added: "This is what happens now, I will be reconfiguring my foreign policy. Eventually, I might in my time I will break up with America."
In the series of speeches, he declared: "Although it may sound s*** to you, it is my sacred duty to keep the integrity of this republic and the people healthy.
"If you don't want to sell arms, I'll go to Russia. I sent the generals to Russia and Russia said 'do not worry, we have everything you need, we'll give it to you'.
"And as for China, they said 'just come over and sign and everything will be delivered'."
His comments were the latest in a near-daily barrage of hostility towards the US, during which Duterte has started to contrast the former colonial power with its geopolitical rivals Russia and China.
In Washington, officials downplayed Duterte's comments, saying they were "at odds" with the two countries' warm relationship and decades-long alliance.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest said there has been no communication from the Philippines about making changes in that relationship.
Earnest did not, however, back down from criticism of Duterte's tactics in his deadly war on drugs.
"Even as we protect the strong alliance, the administration and the United States of America will not hesitate to raise our concerns about extrajudicial killings," he said.
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