Philippines Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay says the Pacific nation will stay in the United Nations, downplaying a threat issued by President Rodrigo Duterte.
Duterte issued the threat Sunday in response to criticism of his incendiary anti-drug trafficking campaign by the world body, including Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Earlier last week, he said the U.N. was making "a very stupid proposition" in criticizing his efforts.
Yasay told reporters in Manila Monday that Duterte's statement merely expressed "profound disappointment and frustration" with the U.N.
At least 1,000 suspected drug traffickers have been killed since the president took office in June, having won election on a pledge of ridding the archipelago of illicit drugs and drug criminals.
