MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte is among the "strongmen" leaders on the cover of TIME Magazine for its May 14, 2018 international edition.

The cover story, written by Ian Bremmer, features Russian President Vladimir Putin, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, and Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

"In every region of the world, changing times have boosted public demand for more muscular, assertive leadership. These tough-talking populists promise to protect 'us' from 'them.' Depending on who’s talking, 'them' can mean the corrupt elite or the grasping poor; foreigners or members of racial, ethnic or religious minorities," the article reads.

"Or disloyal politicians, bureaucrats, bankers or judges. Or lying reporters. Out of this divide, a new archetype of leader has emerged. We’re now in the strongman era."

It described Duterte as "a former mayor who talked more like a Mob boss than a President, on his promises to wipe out the drug trade with his own brand of justice."

The Philippine government has many times defended the anti-drug campaign, saying it was not behind reported summary killings.

Over 4,000 have been killed in anti-drug operations. The drug suspects allegedly resisted arrest, prompting police officers to defend themselves.

• Drug war death toll nears 4,000, says PNP