A Korean and a Filipino were kidnapped in October from a ship that was sailing to Australia from South Korea.
Reimposing death penalty was among President Duterte's poll promises.
The Japanese PM praised the Filipino leader's efforts in strengthening ties with China.
Japan is the biggest provider of aid towards the Philippines and its most important trade partner.
The foreign loan sharks violate laws by lending money without the required permits.
'I might go down in history as the butcher,' the president of the Philippines said.
The icon, referred to as The Black Nazarene, is thought to have healing powers.
After thousands of deaths, outsiders wonder how the leader still has overwhelming support. The answer is simple.
President Rodrigo Duterte recently said that "Isis seems to be everywhere", including among his family members.
Diplomatic spats aren't the exception, they're the rule, as we dig around the recent past to find a few.
Philippines president admits there is 'collateral damage' in the ongoing drug war against criminals.
The Philippines president, however, downplayed concerns about Beijing's militarisation in the South China Sea.
Over 30 people were injured in the explosion in central Leyte province.
The president said the anti-corruption campaign would be just as much a priority as anti-drug operations.
Photos show Duterte handling machine guns in the 1980s and 1990s. He has brought the iron-fist approach he used to rule Davao to Manila.
Malacanang Palace spokesperson said that while murder rates have risen by 50%, index crime rates have dropped.
Zeid Ra'ad al Hussein has demanded a probe into Duterte's admission of killing drug offenders.
The government has no mechanism to regulate the industry in the country, Duterte said.
The senator lashed out at President Duterte saying he should be on the top of his drug list.
President has claimed he used to roam streets and kill criminals as part of his 'war on drugs'.
According to the SWS survey, 88% of the respondents believe Duterte has brought down the drug problems in the country.
'I said before that corruption will have no place in my government,' said Duterte.