After Locsin's Twitter rant vs. China, Palace says only Duterte allowed to curse
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 4) — President Rodrigo Duterte has prohibited Cabinet officials from using profanity in diplomatic affairs.
"Inuulit po natin ang mensahe ng Presidente sa larangan ng diplomasya: Wala pong lugar ang pagmumura," Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said during his regular briefing Tuesday.
[Translation: We would like to repeat the President's message when it comes to diplomacy: profanity has no place in it.]
This comes after Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. told China in a tweet to "get the f*** out," as he criticized the illegal, lingering presence of its vessels in the West Philippine Sea.
"Kaya nga sabihin mo nga sa ibang mga Cabinet ako lang ang puwedeng magmura. Wala nang ibang magmumura lalo na pagdating sa diplomacy," Roque recalled as he explained the President's instruction.
[Translation: That's why you tell the other Cabinet (members) I am the only one who can curse. No one else will be using profanity especially when it comes to diplomacy.]
Roque announced Locsin had already apologized to Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian for his Twitter rant, but Manila's top diplomat clarified he said sorry to Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi instead.
Roque also reiterated the country's official policy of having to "agree to disagree" with China on the West Philippine Sea, but still moving forward on areas both nations can agree on.
RELATED: Palace says Duterte to pursue bilateral ties with China despite territorial disputes
