President Rodrigo Duterte told policemen not to engage in extra-judicial killings (EJKs) as the government battles drugs, terrorism and the New People's Army (NPA).

"No quarters giving. Basta wala lang extrajudicial killing," Duterte said.

He issued the statement during the awarding ceremony of cops who fought in Marawi.

Duterte, however, reiterated that he will take responsibility for those killed in legitimate police operations.

"I do not mind kung ilang libo ang napatay mo, basta in line of duty, I will answer for you. More than anything else, the life of my policemen and soldiers is more important to me than the life of terrorists and criminals," he said.

"Wala akong pakialam sa human rights na yan. It is not my job to be dispensing human rights," Duterte added.

Nearly 4,000 people have been killed in presumed-legitimate anti-drug operations from July 1, 2016 to November 27, 2017.

In the same period, 312 law enforcers were killed in anti-drug operations.

Human rights groups have alleged that many of the more than 10,000 homicides in the country in the past year and a half are extra-judicial killings involving cops and vigilantes.