Duterte: I am not beholden to Obama, my master is the Filipino people

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Amid issues on alleged extrajudicial killings in the Philippines in his war against drugs, President Rodrigo Duterte said he is ready to face United States President Barack Obama.

But he wants to make things clear — he will not explain anything to Obama.

In a press conference on Monday before he left for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Laos, Duterte said he is not beholden to anybody.

"Wala akong pakialam sa kanya. Who is he?" [I don't care about him. Who is he?]

"I am a President of a sovereign state.  And we have long ceased to be a colony of the United States," Duterte added.

Duterte said nobody can force him to explain anything to anyone — especially on how he deals with the country's problems on drugs.

"I do not — I said, I do not kneel down before anybody else, except the Filipino in Quiapo walking in misery and in extreme poverty and anger," said Duterte.

"I do not have any master except the Filipino people. Nobody but nobody."

Also read: White House: Obama to meet Duterte in September

Duterte also cautioned anyone in the Asean summit from bluntly asking him about the issue on alleged extrajudicial killings in the Philippines.

"You must be respectful. You must not just throw away questions. P*t*ng i*a, mumurahin kita dyan. [Son of a bitch, I'll curse you infront of everybody.] Tell that to everybody," Duterte said.

"Everybody has a terrible record of extrajudicial killings," Duterte pointed out.

Duterte said leaders must treat each other as equals — and not a subject of another.

"My country might be small. Our economy hardly keeps up. But everybody should be treated equally."

Duterte also blasted on the columnists critical of his administration.

"Alam mo there are columnists, they look upon Obama and the Unites States as if we are the lapdogs of this country. I do not respond to anybody but to the people of the Republic of the Philippines."

[Translation: You know, there are columnists who look upon Obama and the United States as if we are the lapdogs of this country.  I do not respnd to anybody but to the people of the Republic of the Philippines.]

He asked journalists, why some people are all praises to Obama.

"Masyado kayo bilib sa America. Bumilib kayo dito sa atin," Duterte said.

[Translation: You trust America so much. Trust us here.]

Duterte added, if columnists are not happy with how he runs the Philippines, they can always leave the country.

Also read: Sen. Cayetano urges Obama to openly receive Duterte

U.S. has worse human rights issues

Before looking into the extrajudicial killing issues in the Philippines, Duterte advised Obama to respond and look into the human rights problems of the United States first.

Duterte asked: "Why make an issue about fighting crime?"

"Ni hindi nga nya maubos-ubos 'yung sa Mexico border nya. Look at the human rights of America along that line, the way how they treat the migrants there," Duterte said.

[Translation: He can't even solve the problems in his Mexico border.  Look at the human rights of America along that line, the way how they treat migrants there.]

Duterte also said the U.S. has caused too much trouble for the Philippines — including the problems in Mindanao.

"As a matter of fact, at the turn of the century, before the Americans stepped the Philippines, in the pacification campaign of the Moro in this island, there were about six million ang population ng Moro."

Duterte said at least 600,000 Muslims died at that event in Philippine history.

"If he can answer that question, and give the apology, I will answer him," Duterte said.

According to Duterte, this issue has become a deep wound passed on to generations of Moros, which caused instability in Mindanao.

And until Obama answers for this issue, the U.S. President has no right to ask about extrajudicial killings in the Philippines.

"Who is Obama to ask me that? I'll tell him, who are you? Tell him that."

Campaign against drugs to continue

Duterte also made clear, his war against illegal drugs will continue — regardless of what his critics think, or what other world leaders say.

"The campaign against drugs will continue. Maraming mamatay dyan. [So many will die.] Plenty will be killed until the last pusher is out of the streets. Until the drug manufacturer is killed, we will continue. And I will continue. And I don't give a shit about anybody observing my behavior."

Later in the press conference, Duterte clarified he does "not want to pick a quarrel with Obama" — but stressed, he would not be beholden to anybody.

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