When US President Donald Trump and other world leaders meet in the Philippines from Sunday, copying their controversial host's signature fist salute could land them in hot water.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has adopted a clenched fist, often stuck out in front of his chest or sometimes at eye level, as his trademark gesture.
Duterte often seeks to have visitors pose for photos with him doing the salute, with Chinese internet tycoon Jack Ma and Hollywood actor Steven Seagal among them pictured doing so.
But critics warn the gesture has come to represent the brutalities of Duterte's drug war, which has claimed thousands of lives.
They also say it has uncomfortable similarities with the Nazi leader Adolf Hitler's salute.
"Symbolist a purposeful attack by Duterte on "Phelim Kine, Human Rights Watch deputy Asia director, told AFP.
" (They) should deny the architect of this human rights calamity the international recognition he undeservedly craves. "
Australia's spy chief, Nick Warner, was criticized when he returned home from Manila in August to find the Philippine government.
] "Completely deserved to be in," federal opposition member of parliament Anthony Byrne said in a Twitter post.
With the photos becoming a major news item in Australia, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop was forced to publicly defend Warner. Bishop had previously criticized the drug war.
Trump and Duterte are expected to hold a one-on-one meeting in Asia-Pacific leaders.
Eyes will be on whether or not he is doing a "great job" in his drug war.
Arriving back in Manila Dewerte seemed confident he had
Duterte might also expect support from Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who struck the pose when the pair met in Tokyo last year.
A photo posted by Duterte's aide on Facebook shows the two men smiling along with their officials, who also raised their fists against the backdrop of Japanese and Philippine flags.
Abe, whom Duterte has called a "true fr iend ", has not criticized the drug war.
