A day after the Philippines President threatened to leave the United Nations, the Southeast Asian nation is trying to clarify.
The country's Foreign Affairs Secretary said Monday that no, they don't really want to leave, despite what the president might have said on Sunday.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) PHILIPPINE FOREIGN AFFAIRS SECRETARY, PERFECTO YASAY, SAYING:
"We are certainly not leaving the U.N.. As I've said, the statement of the president is a statement expressing profound disappointment and frustration, and it is not any statement that should indicate a threat to leave the United Nations."
It all started last week when U.N. human rights activists suggested that President Rodrigo Duterte do a better job of clamping down on the rise of extra-judicial killings in Manila.
Duterte, who had promised to clean up the city's massive drug problem when he took office, held a news conference at 1am on Sunday to address those U.N. suggestions.
(SOUNDBITE)(English/Filipino) PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT, RODRIGO DUTERTE, SAYING:
"What have you done for the world, Mr. United Nations and your expert. (cutaway) I do not want to insult you. But maybe we'll just have to decide to separate from the United Nations."
Duterte used several expletives during his tirade and claimed he wasn't concerned with any consequences his statements might have.
About 900 suspected drug traffickers have been killed since he came to power.