The French newspaper La Libération has run a four-page article on the extrajudicial killings in the Philippines under the leadership of President Duterte.
Duterte landed on the front page of the daily newspaper with the heading “Rodrigo Duterte, le President Serial Killer.”
The article, like many international articles focused on the killing of drug dealers and users, focused on the fact they were essentially being killed without respect to the rule of law.
Duterte’s tirades, swearing and insults to foreign nations were also covered in the article.
La Libération is the latest in a string of newspapers and online news media outlets to put the spotlight on the Philippines in the wake of the president’s war on drugs.
Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said the paper’s tag calling Duterte a serial killer was “completely irresponsible”.
In the statement Abella said “The comment is irresponsible and shows the lack of understanding of local conditions.”