Jewish groups shocked, angered by Duterte citing Hitler

President Rodrigo Duterte's remarks about Adolf Hitler has caused Jewish groups in the United States to be shocked and angered.

This will add to the pressure on the United States government to have a tougher treatment with the Philippine president.

Duterte cited Hitler, leader of the Nazi's on Friday, saying he "would be happy" to kill three million drug addicts and users in the country, much like what Hitler did to innocent Jews.

Rabbi Abraham Cooper, head of the Simon Wiesenthal Center's Digital Terrorism and Hate project, called the remarks "outrageous."

"Duterte owes the victims (of the Holocaust) an apology for his disgusting rhetoric." he said.

Todd Gutnick, the group's director of communications, said: " The comparison of drug users and dealers to Holocaust victims is inappropriate and deeply offensive," 

Gutnick said it is baffling why any leader would want to model himself after a monster.

Duterte in hos speech when he just arrived from Vietnam said that he he had been portrayed as "Hitler's cousin" by critics.

"There are three million drug addicts (in the Philippines). I'd be happy to slaughter them." he said, saying that Hitler murdered millions of Jews.

"If Germany had Hitler, the Philippines would have...," he said, pausing and pointing to himself.

"You know my victims. I would like (them) to be all criminals to finish the problem of my country and save the next generation from perdition." he said.

It can be recalled that Former president Benigno Aquino II once warned the country that Duterte had the traits of Hitler.

"I hope we learn the lessons of history," Aquino said. "We should remember how Hitler came to power."

Duterte has been criticized by international media and governments for his methods on his drug war which allegedly killed thousands.

"Do not pretend to be the moral conscience of the world. Do not be the policeman because you do not have the eligibility to do that in my country."he said on Friday to U.S. Senators Patrick Leahy and Benjamin Cardin. MJM


SOURCE: ABS-CBN News

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