The object of the invention is a withdrawing and singling device for withdrawing rod-like articles, particular­ly filter plugs in the manufacture of filter-tipped cigarettes, from a rod-like article supplying hopper (1), and for singling the said articles, which device is provided with a fluted rotary drum (2), which preferably is a suction drum, that makes up at least part of the hopper bottom, and with a so-called repelling roller (3) that in correspondence of the end from which the said drum (2) issues from the hopper (1), is arranged between the fixed wall (4) of the hopper (1) and the fluted rotary drum (2), and is rotated in the same direction (F2) as the direction (F1) of drum (2), so as to push back any rod-like articles (B) which are held within the flutes (102) in drum (2), and as to prevent them from coming out of the hopper (1) or from getting wedged between the hopper wall (4) and the drum (2). The repelling roller (3) is so provided that it allows any group or cluster formed by a plurality of rod-like articles (B1) associated with a same flute (102) in drum (2), to pass thereunder, and, more particularly, it consists of a cylindrical brush. A sensing means, such as a feeling lever (7), is further more provided, and is responsive to a group of two or more rod-like articles (B1) associated with a same flute (102) in drum (2), any time such a group can pass under the repelling roller (3). The sensing means (7) controls removing means, such as, for example, means for generating compressed air jets, which are adapted for removing from the fluted rotary drum (2) any group of rod-like articles (B1) sensed by the sensing means (7).