Outspoken MP George Christensen praises Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs

By political reporter Henry Belot

Updated Fri at 8:27am

PHOTO: George Christensen later released a lengthy statement to clarify his comments regarding the Philippine President. (Reuters/AAP)

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MAP: Australia

Nationals backbencher George Christensen has praised Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte's hardline war on drugs that has led to the death of more than 2,000 suspects in gun battles.

Mr Duterte drew international condemnation this week after claiming he personally killed criminals while he was the mayor of a southern city.

Another 3,000 drug-related killings are being investigated by authorities to determine if these were related to the illegal drug trade.

On Facebook, Mr Christensen said he supported the hardline approach to drugs and doubted whether Mr Duterte had personally killed people. 

"A leader who personally sees off drug dealers? And the problem is?" the Queensland MP said.

Mr Christensen then published a clarification, saying he did not want an elected official in Australia to run around shooting people.

"We've done our namby-pamby War on Drugs in the West and it's been a complete failure," he said.

"I would also like to see greater penalties for drug producers and traffickers [not the low-level dealers who are often addicts themselves].

"The Singapore-style punishment system of caning seems too good for some of the scum that profit off of the misery of others with the drug trade."

Mr Duterte has denied extrajudicial killings but welcomed the death toll, saying in September that he would be happy to slaughter three million drug addicts.

The President has repeatedly told the police to kill accused drug dealers if they violently resist, or if officers feel their lives are in danger.

Mr Christensen dismissed reports extra-judicial killings as nonsense, claiming there was little proof.

"There has been isolated cases of vigilante action but no more so than seen under previous administrations," he said.

"But while extra-judicial killings are out, it seems judicial killings may be in."

The United Nations has called on Mr Duterte to end a wave of extrajudicial killings and executions, insisting those with drug charges face a courtroom rather than gunmen on the street.

Mr Christensen suggested he would support forced rehabilitation for drug addicts in Australia.

"The same people wah-wahing about Duterte's successful drug crackdown, would say forced rehabilitation is a breach of human rights," he said.

"Well, it isn't a human right to partake in substances which destroy your brain and turn you violent against others, especially loved ones and family."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-12-16/george-christensen-apologises-for-duterte-comments-in-statement/8126280