MANILA -- Philippine National Police chief Director General Bato dela Rosa urged the youth to support the government's war on drugs as he gave a song number at the Rakrakan 2017 concert on Saturday.

Dela Rosa sang "Darating" with music artists Ney, Nello and Kleggy before a boisterous crowd, composed mostly of youngsters, at the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) concert grounds.

In the middle of their number, the barrel-chested cop expressed joy over his participation in the festival and segued to a pitch against narcotics.

"Ako happy rin dahil nakisabay ako dito sa mga rakista na kalahati ng edad ko. Ito lang po ang apela ko sa inyo, sana po kayong lahat ay susuko na sa ating war on drugs," Dela Rosa said.

"Wala pong ibang hangad ang ating Presidenteng Rodrigo Roa Duterte kundi linisin ang Pilipinas," he added before he was cut off with chants of "Duterte" from the audience.

As the crowd quieted down, Dela Rosa told them: "Hindi mo kailangang maging durugista para maging rakista. Stay high with music, not with drugs! Iyung drugs, walang pupuntahan iyan."

Data from the ABS-CBN Investigative and Research Group also showed that as of January 10, 2,877 drug-related fatalities were reported since May 10.

The government's anti-drug campaign has been criticized by human rights groups and international bodies, but Duterte dismissed these comments, saying the administration did not sanction extrajudicial killings.

Carrying the theme "OPM Against Drugs," Rakrakan 2017 was held in partnership with government agencies like the Dangerous Drugs Board, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Rehabilitation, Alternative Programs, and Interventions for Preventing Illegal Drug-dependency Response Consortium.