Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has announced his retirement from politics, adding that he will not contest for Vice President during the 2022 presidential elections.

"Today, I announce my retirement from politics," Xinhua news agency quoted the 76-year-old leader as saying to journalists. Concerning his surprise announcement, Duterte, who took office in 2016 for a six-year term of presidency, said that he is heeding the Filipinos' "overwhelming sentiment" for him to quit politics.