Donald Trump has risked the wrath of human rights activists by praising a world leader whose highly controversial drugs policy involves state sanctioned killing.

While boarding Air Force One in the Philippines, President Trump had a parting gesture for Filipino president Rodrigo Duterte.

He said: “Tell Rodrigo I like him very much. He’s a good guy. I had a great time here.”

View photos Duterte has carried out a deadly war on drug dealers in the Philippines (AP) More

Some may balk at that description of President Duterte, who last week admitted stabbing someone to death when he was 16.

He said: “One fight there, one fight here, and at the age of 16, I killed someone.

“A real person. During a rumble. A stabbing. I was just 16 years old. It was just because we looked at each other.

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“How much more now that I am President?”

However, his spokesman said the comments were made “in jest”.

The controversial world leader also has a deadly approach to the country’s war on drugs, pledging to kill every drug user and dealer in the country – something which figures seem to suggest he is doing.

View photos The pair are said to have discussed human rights in a private meeting (AP) More

Human rights groups say the policy has left nearly 4,000 people dead.

Duterte is unrepentant in his policy, however, only apologising for anyone accidentally caught up in the killings.

He said earlier this year: “If you die, I’m sorry.

“You would say they are only killing the poor people.

“Well, I am sorry. I have to clean up until such time the drug lords are eliminated from the streets.”

Trump’s spokesman said the subject of human rights was brought up in a private meeting with Duterte.