Manila, Feb. 27 -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. would not tolerate the possible abuse of power that led to the deaths of suspected drug offenders during anti-drug operations, Malacanang said on Friday.

The assurance came in response to the claims from former president Rodrigo Duterte's defense team that drug-related killings were not unique in the Philippines and allegedly increased during the first two years of the Marcos administration.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro described it as "laughable" and "puzzling" that Duterte's camp focused on the Marcos administration during the International Criminal Court's pre-trial proceedings instead of addressing deaths that happened under the past administration.

"Pero kung may basehan a...