The country already faces terrorist threats in its southern regions after a rebellion in the province of Mindanao led by the militant group Abu Sayyaf, which has pledged allegiance to Daesh.
"Once the terrorists of the Middle East are deprived of the territory, the territory where they can sleep… they will wander to other places and they will come here and we have to prepare for that," Duterte said during a speech at a law enforcement agency, as quoted by Reuters.
"Remember, these guys, they do not have an iota of what is human rights, believe me. I will not just simply allow my people to be slaughtered for the sake of human rights, that's bullsh*t," the president added.
In his speech, Duterte said that the province of Mindanao, where he was a mayor of Davao City for more than two decades, had a “very strong” Islamist presence, and Abu Sayyaf rebels are taking hostages almost every day.
His office released a statement Monday warning those behind violent Islamist-inspired acts that the Philippine president could take “more drastic action” against them.
Human rights have been a touchy subject for Duterte, whose war on drugs and the high death toll has caused daily fury by activists and Western governments.
Duterte almost cut off relations with the Obama administration, calling the U.S. president a “son of a whore.” However he has made a turn after the victory of Donald Trump, saying that he will cooperate with his administration.
