Anti-crime candidate wins presidency in Philippines election

Although the official result has not yet been declared, main rival Mar Roxas admitted defeat after polls gave Duterte an unassailable lead.

The 71-year-old stirred controversy during campaigning with his aggressive comments, stating that he would massacre criminals and drug-users, joking about the rape of an Australian missionary and saying he would dissolve congress if it didn't agree with him. He has credited his success to his tough stance on law and order.

His record as the crime-crushing mayor of the southern town of Davao, once notorious for its chaos, earned him the nickname The Punisher which resonated with voters.

Other driving issues of the election campaign were pervasive corruption, as well as the poverty and inequality experienced by many Filipinos despite economic growth under outgoing President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino.

However, his plans are quite unclear. He made blunt promises to sweep away criminals and corrupt officials, but he has so far offered few policy details. Human rights groups have warned he may repeat what happened in the southern city of Davao, where as mayor he is accused of allowing death squads to murder hundreds of alleged criminals.