Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte says he will not be stopping the war on drugs that has resulted in thousands of extrajudicial killings, saying while his critics' "concern is human rights, mine is human lives".

Key points: Thousands of women, students, left-wing activists and church-based groups protested outside Congress

Thousands of women, students, left-wing activists and church-based groups protested outside Congress Mr Duterte's critics say the war has led to thousands of extrajudicial killings in the last two years

Mr Duterte's critics say the war has led to thousands of extrajudicial killings in the last two years Addressing the Congress, Mr Duterte hit back at protestors

Speaking for his annual State of the Union address at a joint session of Congress, Mr Duterte reaffirmed his resolve to fight illegal drugs as he had during his first two years in power.

He took a swipe at his critics who say his so called war on drugs has resulted in thousands of extrajudicial killings.

Mr Duterte said human rights advocates should speak out against drug dealers as much as they attack him.

"Illegal drug war will not be sidelined. Instead it will be as relentless and chilling, if you will, as on the day it began," he said.

President Duterte told protestors his concern was with "human lives" not "rights". ( AP: Bullit Marquez )

There was a noticeable absence of the usual jokes, threats and ad libs in Mr Duterte's address, with the leader sticking to his scripts.

The Filipino leader told critics they were misguided and had yet to make a compelling argument to make him stop the campaign.

"If you think that I can be dissuaded from continuing this fight because of demonstrations, your protests, which are by the way misdirected, then you got it all wrong," he said.

"Your concern is human rights, mine is human lives."

Thousands of women, students, left-wing activists, and church-based groups gathered outside Congress to denounce what they said were Duterte's anti-poor policies and widespread human rights abuses.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte committed to his war on drugs. ( AP: Aaron Favila )

In his 50-minute speech, which unlike his two previous addresses he read in full, Mr Duterte reiterated his foreign policy would not ally with any one power, but that ties with historic foe China had been "re-energised", bringing unprecedented cooperation in the battle on transnational crime and dismantling clandestine drug laboratories.

Mr Duterte also asked Congress to pass a law to give proper labour contracts to millions of people in short-term employment, to protect the environment and grant the Muslim minority the right to self-rule.

ABC/Reuters