WATCH: 'I never accused anybody,' says Duterte

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday said releasing and reading the list of names suspected to be linked to the drug trade was not meant to be accusations.

Speaking before the 4th Infantry Division in Cagayan de Oro on Tuesday night, Duterte defended his move to release the names after a letter by Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno who said that judges on the list should not surrender if courts have not issued arrest warrants.

FULL STORY: Duterte tells Sereno: Don’t create a crisis

"I never accused anybody except to read their names," Duterte said, saying he did not ask anyone to surrender.

He explained that he was only directing the names on the list to report to their superiors. — Video courtesy of RTVM; Editing by Efigenio Toledo IV