President Rodrigo Duterte urged South Korean investors to “kick in the ass” or slap government personnel who will extort money from them.
“For those of you who come to the Philippines, [you have] our guarantee that you will be safe and sound. If somebody is asking for money, do not give anything. Maybe you can slap him and say, ‘Look idiot. I spent money to come here to invest. I have incurred expenses. Do not do that to me because your President says I can kick you in the ass,’” the President said in addressing some 400 Korean and Filipino businessmen in Seoul.
The President threatened to run after government officials or personnel who will ask for bribes in exchange for faster business transactions.
“Do not go into bribery. Do not ask for money because that is now allowed. And if you do that, as I promised before this forum, I will go after you. And if I find it necessary, I said, maybe I will kill you,” he said.
Duterte said he is happy to serve as an “agent” for foreign investors as he bannered his firm stand against corruption.
The President also assured the safety of Korean executives who will do business in the Philippines even as he avoided mentioning the kidnapping and murder of South Korean businessman Jee Ick-Joo.
“I must admit there were some incidents in the past that did not augur well for people to even consider the Philippines as an investment area. Like just any other country, we’re facing numerous law and order problem including my own national police,” he said.
“You might be hearing about hard stance but this is just really for the bad guys. If you are a law-abiding citizen of a country who wants to be more rich, you will be protected. I will see to that,” Duterte added.
Jee was abducted in October 2016 in Pampanga during an anti-drug police operation. His remains were discovered inside a car parked in Camp Crame.
