MANILA – The New York Times' editorial cartoon on the Duterte administration's war against illegal drugs is a "sad appreciation" of the campaign, the Palace said on Wednesday.

READ: New York Times interprets Duterte war on drugs

In a text message, Presidential Communications Office Secretary Martin Andanar said, while it is true that President Rodrigo Duterte "employed drastic strategies," the gravity of the drug menace calls for such measures.

"The drug scourge is now a national security threat and public health concern," he said.

He added, Filipinos see and understand Duterte as a man of action who wants to deliver on his promises.

On Sunday, the US-based news company published an editorial cartoon showing President Rodrigo Duterte holding a shoulder-launched assault weapon, targeting a wormy apple on the head of the man representing the Philippines.

The image, which evokes William Tell's heroic feat of archery, is one of many takes of foreign news organizations on the state of the drug war in the Philippines.