Singer James Taylor cancels Manila concert to protest Duterte's bloody drug war

Singer James Taylor performs during the 94th Annual National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on The Ellipse, near the White House, in Washington, U.S., December 1, 2016. REUTERS

MANILA - American singer, songwriter and activist James Taylor has cancelled the Manila leg of his tour next year "to make a political stand" over a spate of extrajudicial killings that have marked President Rodrigo Duterte's controversial anti-crime drive.

"Recent reports from the Philippines of summary executions of suspected offenders, without trial or judicial process, are deeply concerning and unacceptable to anyone who loves the law," Mr Taylor, 68, said in a statement on his social media accounts.