by Jerry Esplanada
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Someone once said you should choose your words carefully because one day you may have to eat them. US Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr. is eating, if not words, perhaps, humble pie.
Hammered in the media for saying that 40 percent of male tourists come to the Philippines for sex, the American envoy later said in published statements that he would not apologize for his remarks.
On Friday, in a text message to Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario, Thomas seemed to have changed his mind.
“Sir, thanks again for taking time to meet with me twice this week,†Thomas said in his message, which Del Rosario forwarded to the Inquirer. “I am sending you a response expressing regret for my comments. I should not have used the 40 percent statistic without the ability to back it up. I regret any harm that I may have caused.â€
Del Rosario, who is on an official trip to Vietnam, described Thomas’ message to him as “very straightforward.â€
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