THE word war between Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and House Speaker Prospero Nograles erupted anew after the Dabawenyo speaker allegedly challenged the mayor to go to the United States and explain the series of summary killings in the city.

It was learned that Nograles is in an official trip to US to attend some affairs there.

In a text message by one reporter to Lawrence Christopher Go, chief aide of Mayor Duterte, Nograles was quoted as having dared Davao City executives to go to the US and explain the Davao killings there.

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The story was published in a local daily (not this paper) on Friday.

The same report said the local human rights picture has been a serious concern of US officials, which also barred the release of substantial foreign aid to the Philippines.

"He (Nograles) said in the story that local officials should ask the mayor to go to the US and explain. But he doubted if the mayor will set foot in the said country," the text message read, which was immediately forwarded by Go to the mayor.

In his reaction, Duterte said he will not explain to anybody, especially to the Americans.

"Excuse me, weird si Nograles. Bakit? Akala ba nya ako ang mayor ng Washington D.C.? Mayor ako ng Davao City. Does he have Alzheimer's disease? I am responsible only to the people of Davao City," Duterte reacted.

The mayor said he is not even interested in going to the US just to spend the money of the Filipinos.

"And I am not interested to go back to the US just to watch boxing event at the expense of the people's money. The last time I was in the US was six years ago. I am not interested in going back there and if they want to declare me persona non grata, so be it," Duterte said.

Sun.Star Davao tried to get the reaction of Nograles on Duterte's reactions, but the congressman did not reply to calls and text messages sent to him.