Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has threatened to pull his country from the United Nations in response to criticism of the high number of deaths in his war on drugs.
The Philippines has been under international scrutiny for hundreds of killings of suspected drug criminals by authorities.
The UN Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner last week described the deaths as extrajudicial killings and executions. A UN official said the Philippines should respect human rights.
Duterte responded on Sunday, calling the global body useless. He said the Philippines may just have to decide to separate from the United Nations.
Foreign minister Perfecto Yasay tried to quell the domestic and global fallout, saying on Monday that the Philippines would not be leaving the UN. He said the president spoke out of profound disappointment and frustration over the UN criticism.
Philippine police said on Monday that they have killed at least 712 drug suspects in the anti-drug crackdown since Duterte took office in late June.
Source and image: NHK
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