World

Duterte compares his drug war to holocaust

16:35 pm on 1 October 2016

Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte has likened his willingness to slaughter drug addicts to Adolf Hitler's massacre of European Jews during World War II.

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte speaks at Davao airport. Photo: AFP

Since Mr Duterte took office on 30 June, more than 3100 supposed drug suspects have been killed by the police and vigilantes, with the president's encouragement.

Noting that Hitler murdered millions of Jews, Rodrigo Duterte told reporters he would be happy to slaughter 3 million drug addicts.

Jewish and rights groups have condemned Mr Duterte's comments.

The United States-based Anti-Defamation League said the comment was shocking and deeply offensive.

But reporters in Davao City, where the remarks were made, said Mr Duterte's supporters on social media said that he was responding to those who had compared him to the Nazi leader, rather than making the comparison himself.

-BBC