WASHINGTON—Representative Eliot L. Engel, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today made the following statement regarding President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte's recent threat to slaughter three million people and invoking the policies of Hitler:

"It's incredibly troubling that any leader would invoke Hitler in policy decisions. For this kind of rhetoric to come from an American ally is unthinkable.

“It's time for people around the world to take a step back and think about what Mr. Duterte is suggesting: mass murder of Filipinos at the hands of their democratically elected government. The tragedy and destruction perpetrated by the Nazi regime constitute history's darkest chapters, and the world has spoken clearly that such tragedies cannot be allowed to occur again.

“It is unsettling that Duterte has seen fit to put the partnership between the United States and the Philippines at risk through a demonstrated pattern of reckless behavior. It is a grave concern to think what could happen if others who share his lack of judgment and self-control are put in similar positions of authority.

"I condemn Duterte's shameful comments and call on him to disavow them at once."

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