Duterte wants to befriend North Korea’s Kim Jong Un

By Genalyn Kabiling

Imagine President Duterte and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as new best buddies.

The President recently joked about the possibility of turning to North Korea for assistance in case the country needs weapons to fight Islamic state-linked militants.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (KING RODRIGUEZ/Presidential Photo / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)

Speaking before a recent gathering of top security officials, Duterte said in jest that he and Kim would probably hit it off since they were both unhinged.

“Where do I get the rockets? Where do I get the thing there? China. Walang iba unless I go to a state visit sa North Korea. Kaibiganin ko na lang ‘yon ,” the President said.

“Baka pareho ‘yung ulo namin sira, eh ‘di magkaintindihan kami ” he added.

Duterte also found some similarity with Kim on dealing with their enemies. The tough-talking leader said if Kim could allegedly feed his enemies to the dogs, he feed his foes to the fishes.

“What do you do with your enemies like your father, your brother, father-in-law? I fed him to the dogs. We… I will feed him to my fishpond Manila Bay, the fish there are regenerating, much stouter,” he said, imagining a conversation with the North Korean leader.

Back in April, the President heaped praises on the North Korean leader following his commitment to forge peace with South Korea and rid the peninsula of nuclear weapons.

Duterte said Kim, whom he previously called a dangerous maniac who could trigger a nuclear war in the region, was now the “hero of everybody.” He added that he now considers Kim his “idol” and would congratulate him if he gets an opportunity to meet him.