Rodrigo Duterte
He also laughed when the Philippine leader referred to journalists as "spies."
Thousands have been killed in the Philippines president’s war on drugs. The White House says Trump has a ‘warm rapport’ with him.
The president has announced a major shift amid growing pressure.
Since taking office last summer, the authoritarian president's violent war against drug dealers and users has left at least 7,000 people dead.
WHAT'S HAPPENING
“Let’s kill another 32 every day. Maybe we can reduce what ails this country.”
Rodrigo Duterte believes the benefits of the law outweighed the potential short-term budgetary challenges.
“That chubby face that looks kind," he said. "That son of a bitch."
Rights groups are calling for the president to retract his statement.
A year after the Hague ruled in favor of his country, there's only so much Philippine President Duterte can do to minimize tensions.
President Rodrigo Duterte placed the island under martial law in May when armed militants and foreign fighters stormed Marawi City.