Philippines President Duterte in foul-mouthed rant at EU

The President of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, has used characteristically colourful language to respond to the European Union's concern about extrajudicial executions in the country - a week after he was accused of killing a thousand people during his mayorship.

Members of the European Parliament expressed concern over the "extraordinarily high numbers killed" during Duterte's notorious anti-crime and anti-drug campaign.

Around 3,500 people are estimated to have been killed in the few months since Duterte took office.

In a statement, they said: "MEPs urge the Philippines government to put an end to the current wave of extrajudicial executions and killings, launch an immediate investigation into them and adopt specific, comprehensive policies and programs in full compliance with national and international obligations and respect for human rights."

The president issued a brief response to government officials: "I read the condemnation of the EU against me. I will tell them, 'f*** you.' You're doing it in atonement for your sins."

He added that EU countries were hypocrites because they have their own bloody pasts, "and the EU now has the gall to condemn me. I repeat it, 'f*** you'."

It is not the first time the president has been so undiplomatic in his comments - just weeks ago he called President Barack Obama a "son of a whore".