Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has vowed to kill 'ninja-criminal policemen' who are still involved in the illegal drug trading after facing disciplinary action.

The threat came as it emerged some 250 corrupt officers failed to turn up to a re-deployment flight.

Last week only 17 per cent of those due to take a flight to Basilan, southern Philippines, showed up at Pasay City's Villamor Airbase for their flight, reported Gulf News.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (pictured) has vowed to kill 'ninja-criminal' corrupt policemen

President Duterte said: 'They should be subjected to summary dismissal. I have requested the police to form particularly a squad that will watch over the dismissed policemen.

'Most of them — the ninja-criminal policemen — are high on the [target] list.'

He added that he would not spare any rogue officer stating: 'You will be killed, if you make a mistake, you will be killed. That's for sure.'

Last month Duterte withdrew the police force from his drug war and denounced the force as 'corrupt to the core. Pictured: Policemen guard a crime scene where the body of an alleged criminal lies on the street in Manila in December 2016

Last month Duterte withdrew the police force from his drug war and denounced the force as 'corrupt to the core'.

However, he announced today that he would recall officers to fight against the illegal trade.

'I need more men and I have to call back the police again,' Duterte told reporters, adding he had instructed his police chief to find young officers who were not corrupt to join anti-drug groups.

'At yesterday's command conference I ordered (him) to recruit young men in the Philippine National Police who are imbued with the fervour of patriotism,' he said.

Duterte won presidential elections last year after promising to eradicate drugs in society by killing tens of thousands of people. Pictured: Duterte (L) talks to Philippine National Police Director General Ronald Dela Rosa (R) during a press conference in Manila on January 30, 2017

Duterte announced today that he would recall officers to fight against the illegal trade. Graphic charting drug-related killings in the Philippines since July 2016

Duterte won presidential elections last year after promising to eradicate drugs in society by killing tens of thousands of people.

Since then, police have reported killing more than 2,550 people, while more than 4,000 others have died in unexplained circumstances, according to official figures.

Duterte had been unrepentant in the face of widespread international criticism of the drug war, including accusations the police were murdering people for their own gain and organising anonymous vigilante death squads.