After he acknowledged killing suspected criminals in Davao City, President Rodrigo Duterte said he shot criminals using a carbine firearm during his third month as mayor.

In an ambush interview on Saturday, Duterte said kidnapping was on the rise in Davao City back then when he shot suspected criminals.

" 'Pag labas ng carbine sa window, pinagbabaril namin. Totoo yan," Duterte said.

"Mayor ako ng Davao, hindi ako papayag na mangyayari yan sa amin."

(I'd shoot them from the window using the carbine. That's true. I was the mayor of the Davao and I wasn't going to let that happen.)

Duterte earlier said that he used to personally kill suspected criminals to set an example for police.

In a speech before the Filipino community on Friday, Duterte said that although he threatened to kill criminals, there is no record of his kills.

Duterte served as Davao City mayor for seven terms before being persuaded to run for presidency.