The United Nations human rights chief has said that Rodrigo Duterte​, President of the Philippines, needs a psychiatric assessment after his government included a UN special rapporteur on a list of 600 people they want classed as “terrorists”.

Victoria Tauli-﻿Corpuz﻿, a UN expert on the rights of indigenous peoples, was included on the list of alleged communist guerrillas.

She was listed in a government petition, alongside others including a Catholic priest and a former congressman, that was recently submitted to a Manila court.

In response, the UN high commissioner for human rights said it was time to take a stand in response to the President’s latest controversial actions.

Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein said: “He needs to submit himself to some sort of psychiatric examination. This kind of comment is unacceptable. These attacks cannot go unanswered; the UN human rights council must take a position.”

Ms Tauli-Corpuz, who has been in the post since 2014, denounced the government, calling the complaint “baseless, malicious and, irresponsible”.

Many human rights activists have jumped to condemn the Filipino leader, who recently started a campaign against communist rebels and has a history of taking controversial actions against those he considers criminals.

The country’s justice ministry recently called for the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People’s Army to be declared terrorist organisations.

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

Now, branding individuals terrorists will allow the government to be able to monitor them more closely, track finances and curb access to resources, among other measures.

After coming into power in 2016, Mr Duterte took steps to find a solution to a long-standing conflict, even putting leftist politicians in his cabinet.

But since peace talks failed, he instead started a campaign against the groups.

The petition claimed that rebels were trying to overthrow the government by “using acts of terror” to sow fear and panic.

Carlos Conde, Philippines researcher with the New York-based Human Rights Watch, said the petition was “a virtual hit list”.

Mr Duterte has long been known for a range of controversial moves, comments and decisions.

The International Criminal Court recently launched a preliminary investigation against him over his bloody war on drugs. It aims to work out if it can charge Mr Duterte for the deaths of thousands of Filipinos during the crackdown.

Official figures state that around 4,000 of his countrymen were killed by police during the internationally criticised campaign.

But activists believe the number of dead is actually much higher.

Mr Duterte’s actions have been criticised by Human Rights Watch for alleged extra-judicial killings and he has often been condemned for making controversial, misogynistic or violent comments.

He reportedly told soldiers to shoot female communist rebels in their genitals.

He also recently advised people against using condoms as “it is not satisfying”, despite a surge in cases of HIV in his country.