Philippine presidential candidates grilled on poverty and crime in heated televised debate

The five main Philippine presidential candidates faced off for the first time in a national debate on Sunday, vowing to fight corruption and crime if they succeed President Benigno Aquino.

The televised debate was the first in a series aimed at focusing the contest on policy issues, rather than the colourful personalities running in the May presidential election.

But candidate Rodrigo Duterte played up his image of ruthlessness, as he vowed he would wipe out crime, illegal drugs and corruption in just three months by ordering authorities to kill criminals.

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“If I become president, it will be bloody because I will order the killing of all criminals,” said Duterte who has been accused of abetting death squads as long-time mayor of the southern city of Davao.

The debate, held on the strife-torn southern island of Mindanao, brought together the top contenders seeking to succeed Aquino who is limited by law to one six-year term.

Polls show the front runner is Vice President Jejomar Binay, political kingpin of the financial centre of Makati.