Nearly 6,000 killings of drug suspects have been reported by police but rights watchdogs suspect the death toll is far larger.

On Monday, Filipino president Rodrigo Duterte granted an "absolute and unconditional pardon'' to Lance Cpl. Joseph Scott Pemberton in a move that caught many by surprise.

With the Philippines' economy in tatters, even those who've lost their jobs in Canada are often still sending money abroad.

Roads and bridges were cracked in Cataingan, the coastal town nearest the epicenter, according to reports and photos of the aftermath.

Anduljihad Susukan is the highest-ranking commander of the small but brutal Abu Sayyaf group to be taken into custody so far this year.

Testing will be ramped up significantly, officials said, while President Rodrigo Duterte threatened to arrest anyone not wearing a mask.

"This is outside of a normal procedure-type thing and protocol shouldn't come into play, they should simply be able to bring them home."

Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. issued the call on the anniversary of the July 12, 2016, ruling by an international tribunal in The Hague.

Human Rights Watch called the verdict "a frontal assault on freedom of the press that is critical to protect and preserve Philippines democracy."

The report said that some statements from the highest levels of government had "risen to the level of incitement to violence" and "vilification of dissent is being increasingly institutionalized."