Shooting incident at Duterte presidential compound

The incident occurred at an elite security force camp within the sprawling presidential grounds, which include a house where the Philippine president resides

FILE - In this Aug. 2, 2017 file photo, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte speaks during the 113th Founding Anniversary of the Bureau of Internal Revenue in metropolitan Manila. The Philippine president says he became a local millionaire at a young age due to inheritance and reiterated he has no unexplained wealth as alleged by his leading critic, who questioned his claim that he was born into an impoverished family. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila, File)
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A shooting incident took place within the presidential compound of the Philippines' Rodrigo Duterte and is being investigated.

The incident occurred at an elite security force camp within the sprawling presidential grounds, which include a house where Mr Duterte resides, said spokesman Ernesto Abella on Tuesday.

He declined to say if the president was in the area when it occurred, or give further details.

"It's being investigated and the nature of the situation needs to be clarified," he told reporters.

"We don't know the exact nature of this incident," he added.

Asked where Mr Duterte was when the shooting occurred, Mr Abella said "we don't have any information regarding that".

The presidential security group separately said they would release a statement later.

Mr Duterte, who hails from Davao in Mindanao, has said he dislikes staying in the presidential compound and often returns to his home city on weekends.

Mr Duterte was elected in a landslide last year on a vow to eradicate illegal drugs in society by killing up to 100,000 traffickers and addicts.

Since he assumed office 15 months ago police have reported killing more than 3,800 people in anti-drug operations with many more killed in mysterious circumstances.

Despite criticism from human rights groups, he still enjoys widespread support among Filipinos who see him as a charismatic, anti-establishment politician who is their best chance to quell crime and corruption.

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