Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte under fire for rape jokes

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte speaks during a press conference at Manila international airport in Manila on May 24, 2017, after returning from a visit to Russia. (Photos by AFP)

Human Rights Watch has censured Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte for joking about soldiers being able to rape women while battling Daesh.

Duterte recently said that his soldiers were permitted to rape up to three women after imposing martial law in the country's south.

"For this martial law and the consequences of martial law and the ramifications of martial law, I and I alone would be responsible," he said on Friday while addressing soldiers at a military camp close to Marawi, where clashes have broken out between the government and suspected Maute terrorists who are affiliated  to the Daesh group.

"Just do your work. I will handle the rest. I will be imprisoned for you. If you rape three (women), I will say that I did it," he added.

Human Rights Watch's Phelim Kine noted that the comments were "a sickening attempt at humor" which sent troops the message that they could commit rights abuses while martial law is imposed.

A government troop takes position to fire upon militants near a hospital in Marawi, in southern island of Mindanao on May 27, 2017.

"Duterte's pro-rape comments only confirm some of the worst fears of human rights activists that the Duterte government will not just turn a blind eye to possible military abuses in Mindanao, but may actively encourage them," he added.

Duterte also noted that he is willing to negotiate with the terrorists to resolve the conflict in the region.

"My message mainly to the terrorists on the other side is we can still solve this through dialogue," he said.

Earlier in the day, Philippine military forces bombarded the southern city during operations against the Daesh affiliates.

Violence erupted on Tuesday when dozens of gunmen went on a rampage throughout Marawi in response to an operation by security forces to arrest Isnilon Hapilon, a veteran Filipino militant regarded as the local leader of the Daesh-affiliated militants.

Residents with their belongings walk along a deserted street as they evacuate from their homes in Marawi, in southern island of Mindanao on May 27, 2017. 

The militants reportedly planted black Daesh flags, took a priest and up to 14 other people hostage at a Catholic church and set fire to buildings.

Duterte has pledged to remove the threat of Daesh-linked militants, whom he accuses of belonging to the local Maute terrorist group and being backed by criminals in the area.