MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte has defended himself from criticism over his latest rape joke, saying it was part of freedom of expression.

Last week the President said in jest that the reason Davao City has the highest number of rape cases in the country is because it has many beautiful women. Opposition politicians and pro-women groups condemned the remarks.

• 'Many beautiful women': Duterte jokes about Davao City rape cases

“They said that Davao had many rape cases. For as long as there are many beautiful women, there are plenty of rape cases as well,” Duterte said in Cebuano, the translation of which was provided by the Palace.

But the President said he was misunderstood and that his statements must be respected because he was using his freedom of expression.

“Itong mga ano, magsabi ka lang, maraming rape sa Davao. Sabi ko eh siguro kasi maraming maganda sa Davao. Hindi ko naman sinabi ni-rape lahat yan. But you are almost mesmerized or tempted kasi that’s how you control yourself. And this is democracy. Freedom of expression,” Duterte said in a speech before the Filipino community in Jerusalem, Israel on Sunday evening (Israel time).

This was not the first time Duterte joked about rape.