Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday expressed regret for his abusive remark while referring to President Barack Obama.

In a statement read out by his spokesman, Mr. Duterte said his “strong comments” to certain questions by a reporter “elicited concern and distress, we also regret it came across as a personal attack on the U.S. President.”

Mr. Duterte, a plain-spoken populist known for his colourful remarks and his campaign against illegal drugs in which thousands of people have died, described Mr. Obama in vulgar terms to reporters on Monday, a day ahead of the planned meeting in Laos, where South Asian leaders are meeting for annual summits.

Mr. Duterte said both sides mutually agreed to postpone the meeting.

Even though Mr. Duterte’s latest comment does not amount to an apology, the expression of regret is a rare instance when the tough-talking former mayor has expressed contrition for his remarks that often slide into profanity.

“We look forward to ironing out differences arising out of national priorities and perceptions, and working in mutually responsible ways for both countries,” the statement said.

The flap over Mr. Duterte’s remarks started when a reporter asked him how he intends to explain the extrajudicial killings of drug dealers to Mr. Obama. More than 2,000 suspected drug pushers and users have been killed since Mr. Duterte launched a war on drugs after taking office on June 30.

In his typical style, Mr. Duterte responded, “I am a President of a sovereign state and we have long ceased to be a colony. I do not have any master except the Filipino people, nobody but nobody. You must be respectful. Do not just throw questions. ****** *** I will swear at you in that forum,” he said.

Mr. Duterte said he would demand that Mr. Obama allow him to first explain the context of his crackdown before engaging the U.S. President in a discussion of the deaths.