(CNN)Controversial Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has admitted killing suspected criminals during his time as mayor of Davao City.
“In Davao, I used to do it personally. Just to show the guys that, if I can do it, why can’t you?” Duterte said
“And (I’d) go around Davao with a motorcycle, with a big bike around and I would just patrol the streets and looking for trouble also. I was really looking for an encounter so I could kill.”
He made the remarks at the Wallace Business Forum in Manila on Monday.
Since taking power in June, Duterte has waged a brutal “war on drugs.” The crackdown has been linked to more than 5,900 deaths in less than six months.
The President’s office has been contacted for comment.
By Ben Westcott and Kathy Quiano, CNN.
