Duterte warns of thousands more killings

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said yesterday he wanted to behead opponents of his drug war and warned 50,000 people could die in the crackdown, after rejecting European Union aid in response to its criticism of the killings.

Duterte insisted he would not be intimidated by criticism of the drug war, which rights groups have said could be a crime against humanity.

"Don't trust those human rights (critics), if you do I will cut off both your heads," Duterte said in a speech to inaugurate a bridge in the southern Philippines.

"I will not be influenced by any fear. Jail me. So jail me. If they say I should be jailed, okay. Fine. I'll pay the price."

Duterte said human rights activists had alleged that 10,000 people had died in his drug war since he came to power in the middle of last year, but warned of many more deaths in his quest to eradicate drugs in society.

"Make that 50,000. I will really finish them off. And even if I go to hell, I can rot in prison. I do not mind. I am old."

Duterte's comments came shortly after his spokesman said the Philippines would refuse European Union grants that "interfered" with its internal affairs.