MANILA (UPDATED) - President-elect Rodrigo Duterte did not endorse extra-judicial killings of journalists, and United Nations (UN) Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's condemnation of the incoming leader's statement was based on "incorrect news reports," Duterte's spokesman said Saturday.

Duterte, who has declared a "boycott" on media interviews since stirring controversy over his pronouncements on media killings, "chastises" those who engage in "irresponsible journalism," incoming presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a statement.

Ban's statement condemning Duterte was "unfortunate," Panelo said.

"Obviously the UN Secretary-General believed the incorrect news reports that gave rise to such wrong perception," Panelo said.

"The President-elect has not endorsed - can not - and will never endorse extrajudicial killings they being contrary to law. He does not condone the killing of journalists nor any citizen for that matter, regardless of its purpose," he added.

Panelo said under no circumstances will Duterte deviate from his constitutional duty to enforce the law.

"The President-elect reiterates his fealty to the Constitution as well as his determination to suppress criminality in any form. Under a Duterte presidency the Bill of Rights as enshrined in the Constitution shall be in full bloom," he said.

Ban on Wednesday strongly condemned Duterte's apparent endorsement and justification of murder of journalists, which, he stressed, is "a breach of fundamental rights and freedoms."

"Such comments are of particular concern in light of on-going impunity for serious cases of violence against journalists in the Philippines," Ban said.

Two UN special rapporteurs earlier also slammed the incoming Philippine president for allegedly sending a "permissive signal" that killing members of the media is "acceptable in certain circumstances and would not be punished."

READ: UN experts urge Duterte: Don't incite violence

The 71-year-old Duterte, who will assume office on June 30, responded by advising them to "go home and get some sleep."

"You are overworked and sound beat. Your statement is anchored on the wrong premise," he said.

"What I said is that you don't have to be a journalist to be the subject of an assassination. There are many cases where journalists are killed by reason of their advocacies but there are those who are killed because they take sides and accept bribes and renege on their commitments."

READ: Duterte tells UN experts: Go home, get some sleep