Philippine police in drugs murder case freed on bail

A victim of the Philippines' drugs war with his wife: 19 police officers charged over a separate murder during the campaign will now face lesser charges. - AFP/file

Manila (AFP) - Nineteen Philippine policemen originally charged with murder during President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs have been freed on bail and will be tried for a lesser crime, sparking criticism Monday from rights activists.

The tough-talking Duterte has repeatedly said he will defend police officers involved in the bloody anti-narcotics war, although he has also described the force as "corrupt to the core".