Philippines refutes Duterte's molestation claims

The Philippines has tried to shoot down molestation claims made by its President Rodrigo Duterte, wherein he described in detail how he had molested one of his maids while he was a teenager.

Salvador Panelo, the Presidential Spokesman told CNN that Duterte had "made up" the comments at the behest of a priest who had urged him to confess. "He purposely added and spliced the story with vulgarity to characterize the behaviour of the priest who insisted to hear more sins during their confessions when there were none," Panelo said.

He further outlined that Duterte shared the "laughable anecdotes" to "dramatize the fact of sexual abuse that was inflicted on him and his fellow students when they were in high school."

Duterte had claimed that he had once confessed to a priest during a confessional to inappropriately touching his maid as a teen, while she was sleeping in her room. He went on to give a detailed description of the incident on Saturday during a speech.

He had also claimed that he was touched by the priest during the confession. Duterte said that this was something "every child goes through".

The Philippines leader has earlier invited criticism due to his remarks, including comparing himself to Hitler and making derogatory remarks towards former US President Barack Obama.