Duterte: I'm like a hoodlum, you only realized that now?

President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday came out swinging at a meeting with the Filipino community in Japan, saying he wasn't afraid of some opinion that he is not like a statesman.

"Sabi nila Duterte is not a statesman, he behaves like a hoodlum. Tama ka. Ulol ka pala, ngayon mo lang nalaman?" Duterte told Filipinos at a gathering in Tokyo, where he is slated to stay for a three-day visit.

(They say Duterte is not a statesman, he behaves like a hoodlum. You're right. You only realized that now?)

The President was reacting to criticisms regarding his fiery outbursts and aggressive campaign against illegal drugs. 

The Filipinos in the audience were quite receptive and cheered for the President at several points in his speech.