Rodrigo Duterte, a controversial mayor, accused of having links to death squads and vigilante killers, has claimed victory as president of the
Rodrigo Duterte, a controversial mayor, accused of having links to death squads and vigilante killers, has claimed victory as president of the Philippines.
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The 71-year-old who is known as ‘The Punisher’ has previously vowed to kill criminals.
He also recently joked he wanted to rape an Australian missionary who was murdered in a prison riot.
Running against him was Senator Grace Poe, who had led in opinion polls early on in the campaign. She conceded after unofficial result put her in third place.
Duterte’s quick-fix promises to stamp out crime and drugs have proved popular among voters, many of whom distrust the political elite
Others are alarmed by what they see as a return to the country’s authoritarian past.
At the same time, the son and namesake of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos was standing as vice president.