The controversial President of the Philippines claims representatives from the US and Australia “have considerably toned down” their criticism of his human rights record.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson recently met with Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte at an Asian regional conference – the highest-level interaction between a member of Donald Trump's administration and Mr Duterte to date.

Mr Duterte, speaking about his meetings with Mr Tillerson and Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, said the discussions revolved “mostly” around terrorism, and that human rights came up “only in passing”.

He also introduced himself to Mr Tillerson publicly as a “humble friend” and “ally” of the United States.

A representative for the State Department contested this version of events, telling the Washington Post that Mr Tillerson had brought up critiques of the Philippines's ongoing war on drugs and offered assistance in combating the problem.

Tillerson aide RC Hammond quoted the Secretary of State as saying: “Mr. President, we are all aware of the American people’s criticism of you in your handling of the drug cartels."

The most controversial quotes from Rodrigo Duterte Show all 9 1 /9 The most controversial quotes from Rodrigo Duterte The most controversial quotes from Rodrigo Duterte On killing drug addicts “These sons of whores are destroying our children. I warn you, don’t go into that, even if you’re a policeman, because I will really kill you. If you know of any addicts, go ahead and kill them yourself as getting their parents to do it would be too painful” The most controversial quotes from Rodrigo Duterte Message to China “I will go there on my own with a Jet Ski, bringing along with me a [Phillipino] flag and a pole, and once I disembark, I will plant the flag on the runway and tell the Chinese authorities, ‘Kill me’ ” AP The most controversial quotes from Rodrigo Duterte Christmas message to law-breakers “If you do not want to stop, and just continue committing crimes, then this would be your last Merry Christmas” AP The most controversial quotes from Rodrigo Duterte On sex life “I was separated from my wife. I’m not impotent. What am I supposed to do? Let this hang forever? When I take Viagra, it stands up” AFP/Getty Images The most controversial quotes from Rodrigo Duterte On the drugs trade “None of my children are into illegal drugs. But my order is, even if it is a member of my family, ‘kill him'" AP The most controversial quotes from Rodrigo Duterte Insulting the Pope “We were affected by the traffic. It took us five hours. I asked why, they said it was closed. I asked who is coming. They answered, the pope. I wanted to call him: ‘Pope, son of a wh**e, go home. Do not visit us again’” AFP/Getty Images The most controversial quotes from Rodrigo Duterte Joke about rape “I saw her face and I thought, 'What a pity... they raped her, they all lined up. I was mad she was raped but she was so beautiful. I thought, the mayor should have been first” AFP/Getty The most controversial quotes from Rodrigo Duterte Insulting Barack Obama "Mr Obama should be respectful and refrain from throwing questions at me about the killings, or son of a bitch, I will swear at you in that forum" REUTERS The most controversial quotes from Rodrigo Duterte On Abu Sayyaf Islamic militants "If I have to face them, you know I can eat humans. I will really open up your body. Just give me vinegar and salt, and I will eat you. If you annoy me to the fullest... I will eat you alive. Raw" EPA

Mr Duterte campaigned on a promise of cleaning up the drug trade in the Philippines, vowing to “kill all of you who make the lives of Filipinos miserable”. Human rights groups say as many as 6,000 people have been killed as a result of this war on drugs. The UN high commissioner for human rights has called for a criminal investigation into the President.

Relations between the US and the Philippines, however, have warmed under Mr Trump’s leadership. The US President has praised Mr Duterte for doing "an unbelievable job on the drug problem,” and even invited him to visit the White House.

Both the US and Philippines said they planned to discuss human rights at the Asian regional gathering. But neither Mr Duterte nor Mr Tillerson addressed the issue at a press conference before their meeting, focusing instead on the nuclear situation in North Korea. When a reporter shouted out a question about human rights, the two men ignored it.

Asked about the issue at a private press conference later, Mr Duterte replied: "Human rights, son of a b****."

"Policemen and soldiers have died on me,” he continued. “The war now in Marawi, what caused it but drugs? So human rights, don't go there."

Mr Tillerson also referenced the war in Marawi, saying he sees “no conflict at all” between the US’s position on human rights and their assistance to the Philippines in fighting that war.

The Philippine government has been fighting Isis-affiliated militants in Marawi since May. More than 120 Philippine troops and 45 civilians have been killed in the fighting. Mr Duterte has placed the entire island of Mindanao under martial law.

Mr Tillerson said the US has provided the Philippines with surveillance capabilities, training, information and aircraft to aid them in the conflict.

"I see no conflict — no conflict at all in our helping them with that situation and our views of the human rights concerns we have with respect to how they carry out their counter narcotics activities," Mr Tillerson said.