Bangkok: Australia has provided wide-ranging training, support and assistance for Philippine police who are at the centre of president Rodrigo Duterte's highly contentious crackdown on drugs that has left thousands of Filipinos dead.

Human rights groups and independent investigations, including by Fairfax Media, have uncovered evidence showing Philippine police involvement in targeted assassinations and vigilante hit squads.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte last month. Credit:Bloomberg

The United States this week blocked the sale of 26,000 automatic weapons to the Philippine National Police, prompting focus on Australia's multimillion dollar support program to Philippine police that includes the training of more than 1200 officers.

Australia stepped up its support for Philippine law enforcement agencies after the Australian Federal Police and Philippine National Police signed a memorandum of understanding to develop co-operation in 2012.