'You can each rape three women and I will protect you': Duterte tells Filipino troops in shocking comments

Firebrand Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte is never short of politically controversial statements but his latest address to Filipino troops are truly shocking, even by his standards.

While reassuring them that they have his full backing, Duterte told the troops he is ready to bear the consequences of fighting the extremists.

Then the president went on to remark: "You can each rape three women and I will protect you".

He also told the troops that they were free to arrest any person or search any house if necessary.

On 24 May, Duterte declared martial law in southern Philippines after intense clashes broke out between the Filipino military and the Maute group, an extremist organisation that pledged allegiance to the so-called Islamic State.

He had to abruptly cut short his trip to Russia and return to control the escalating situation.

The whole of the southern region of Mindanao is under martial law, bringing roughly one-third of the country or up to 20 million people under the emergency measure.

"Do not worry. I will join you. I will... If you go down, I go down.

"But for this martial law and the consequences and [its] ramifications, I and I alone would be responsible.

"I am here to say to you, fight and I will pray for you and I will answer for everything," Duterte told his military personnel.

He added that the doors for dialogue are still open if the extremists were ready to drop their arms.

"If you cannot be convinced to stop fighting, so be it," Duterte said.