President Rodrigo Duterte's vow to pardon policemen who would be convicted in the killing of drug suspects is "not a blanket condonation," presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said Friday.

"It is a statement of a superior standing by his own directive regarding specific operations. It's not a blanket condonation," Abella told reporters.

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Abella said the President has no intention of circumventing the law, but is just "taking full responsibility" for drug suspects killed during legitimate police operations. "Legal procedures will be observed without presidential intervention," he said.

Duterte has repeatedly renewed his promise to help every policeman engaged in the war on drugs as long as they do not fabricate evidence.

"Sabi ko sa lahat ng pulis, do not lie to me. Babarilin ko talaga. Mag-trabaho kayo, huwag kayong mag-imbento. Do not fabricate evidence," he earlier said.

"I will hear you and if you're telling the truth, sabihin mo ako, utos ni Mayor," he said.