Duterte makes controversial remarks about rape.

On May 27, the Philippine president once again sparked controversy when he asserted that he would take responsibility for soldiers facing the risk of being convicted of rape, in an attempt to reassure them.

"I will always be watching you. Regarding martial law and its consequences, I alone will take responsibility; you just need to do your job. Even if you have raped three women, I will take responsibility," NBC quoted the Philippine president as saying.

During a reassuring conversation with Philippine soldiers, President Duterte affirmed that he would continue fighting against the Maute Islamic terrorist group in the southern part of the country.

This is not the first time President Duterte has made controversial statements about rape. Photo: Reuters.

This is not the first time the Philippine leader has made controversial remarks about rape. In 2016, during his presidential campaign, he joked about the rape of an Australian missionary 27 years earlier.

In early 2017, he stated that he had intended to kill some criminals while he was mayor of Davao to set an example for the police in the Philippines' anti-drug campaign.

The Southeast Asian nation is experiencing dark days as violence erupted in the city of Marawi on Mindanao island on May 22nd, after the Maute Islamist militant group attacked security forces and declared control of the city. The Maute group pledged allegiance to ISIS in 2015.

President Duterte ordered martial law in Mindanao and said it could be extended for a year if necessary. He said he was considering applying similar measures to the Visayas region near Mindanao.

The Philippine military is conducting a special operation to eliminate the Maute Islamic extremist group in the south, resulting in 44 deaths, including 31 militants, 11 soldiers, and 2 police officers.

According to Zing