Asia

Philippine president says he won't be a dictator

Associated Press
Published | Updated

New Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte addresses the troops during the Change-of-Command ceremony for incoming Armed Forces chief Gen. Ricardo Visaya Friday, July 1, 2016, at Camp Aguinaldo in suburban Quezon city northeast of Manila, Philippines. Duterte won over four other candidates in the May 9 elections to become the 16th President of the Philippine Republic. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) (The Associated Press)

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, left, places the hat of the new Police Chief, Director General Ronald Dela Rosa, during the "Assumption of Command" ceremonies at Camp Crame, Philippine National Police headquarters, in suburban Quezon city, Manila, Philippines, on Friday, July 1, 2016. Duterte, who was sworn in as the Philippines' 16th president, has given himself a colossal campaign promise to fulfill, eradicating crime especially drug trafficking, smuggling, rapes and murder in three to six months. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) (The Associated Press)

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte gestures during the "Assumption of Command" of new Police Chief, Director General Ronald Dela Rosa at Camp Crame, Philippine National Police headquarters, in suburban Quezon city, Manila, Philippines on Friday, July 1, 2016. Duterte, who was sworn in as the Philippines' 16th president, has given himself a colossal campaign promise to fulfill, eradicating crime especially drug trafficking, smuggling, rapes and murder in three to six months. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) (The Associated Press)

The Philippines' new president has said he "will go to the extreme" in his battle to end crime within six months, but won't become a dictator.

Rodrigo Duterte said in a speech to policemen on Friday that he is not afraid of being impeached by Congress while battling crime and assured police he will protect them if they kill a large number of people while cracking down on lawlessness.

Duterte was inaugurated Thursday. On Friday, he witnessed the official appointment of his national police and military chiefs and ordered them to combine their forces to fight criminals.

Duterte says he will pursue peace talks with communist and Muslim rebels, and announced he will meet next week with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the largest Muslim rebel group.