Philippines’ Duterte tells Obama he never cursed him

Jakarta, Indonesia — Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte says he told President Barack Obama during their encounter in Laos that he never cursed him.

On a visit to Indonesia, Duterte told the Filipino community there Friday that he told Obama: “I never made that statement, check it out.”

Duterte blamed the media for distorting his words, saying he did utter “son of a bitch” but it was not directed at Obama.

Before traveling to Laos for regional summits, Duterte said Monday that Obama should not question him about the rising death toll in his war on drugs.

Asked how he will explain the killings to Obama, he said: “You must be respectful. Do not just throw questions and statements. Son of a bitch, I will swear at you at that forum.”