Manila, Dec 29 (IANS): Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte threatened to throw officials out of a flying helicopter if they misused public funds and admitted on live television that he has done it before, a media report said on Thursday.

"Whoever will use this (public funds) for corruption, I will get him (to) ride the helicopter with me going to Manila and will push him out while we are up in the air," Duterte said in a speech Tuesday. 

"Yes I will do that! I did that before and I can do that again."

When asked if the event actually happened and if the person killed was a kidnapper, as local media was reporting Martin Andanar, the presidential Communications Secretary, told CNN on Thursday "It happened; he said it."

This is not the first time Duterte has admitted to killing people.

Earlier this month, he told a business forum that he personally killed suspected criminals. 

Duterte had previously been accused of killing a government official with a Uzi submachine gun, CNN said.

Despite the killing admissions and rising body count, Duterte remains extremely popular in the Philippines, with polls showing a high percentage of the country remains supportive and trusting of the President.