Philippine President Duterte

'I have been saying again and again, don't take the president literally but seriously,' says his spokesperson

Philippine police back in drug war despite being accused of human rights violations in drug related crimes

Duterte says he might declare martial law if the left tries to launch a massive protest

Thousands of people have been killed and the violence has been criticized

Duterte, 71, won presidential elections last year after promising during the campaign to eradicate drugs in society