They call him "The Punisher" for his crackdown on drug dealers, but Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte says he's ready to discuss the issue with US President Barack Obama when they meet next week in Laos.
But he says, when it comes to human rights, Obama must first listen.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT, RODRIGO DUTERTE, SAYING:
"They must understand the problem first before we talk about human rights. I would insist, listen to me, this is what the problem is, then we can talk about human rights, no problem."
Just a few months in office Duterte has been unapologetic over unleashing the police on drug users and dealers.
The number of drug-related killings since he took office now stands at around 2,000, nearly half of them in police operations.
Washington has expressed concerns about the drug-related killings -- And Duterte has responded by among other things, calling US ambassador Philip Goldberg a "gay son of a whore".
The White House says Obama will raise concerns about some of Duterte's "recent statements" when the two men meet next week.