Duterte Says He Was Just Kidding When He Said He Smoked Pot

  • Philippine leader says he took weed to stay awake in Asean
  • President clarifies after his speech that he was just kidding

Rodrigo Duterte

Photographer: Paul Miller/Bloomberg
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It was just a joke, Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte said after telling an official gathering in Manila that he takes marijuana.

Duterte, who’s presiding over a war against illegal drugs that has killed thousands, said in a speech to honor government officials involved in organizing Asean meetings that the tight schedule of international gatherings was a “killing activity.”