PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte apologized to former US President Barack Obama for the “talkatese” he hurled against him in the past but at the same time said he has forgiven him like what he did to all his “ex-girlfriends.”

In a speech during his meeting with the Filipino community in Israel on Monday (Philippine time), Duterte said: “It would be appropriate to say at this time, Mr. Obama, you are now a civilian. I am sorry for uttering those words. Know it was just plain talkatese. We have learned our lessons very well,” Duterte said.