Solon warns Duterte: Most drugs come from China
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, left, and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands after a signing ceremony in Beijing, China, Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, Pool)
Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano has warned President Rodrigo Duterte against shifting alliances to China where the illegal drug trade comes from.
In a statement, the soldier turned congressman reminded Duterte that most of the illegal drugs that proliferated in the Philippines came from China.
“The President should be reminded that China is mostly the source of all these illegal drugs, and that countless ordinary Filipinos fell victim to this drug menace and are being killed daily,” Alejano said.
Alejano said the existence of the drug trade from China was established in the House of Representatives justice committee investigation into the proliferation of drug trade at the New Bilibid Prison, when alleged drug lords admitted getting the drugs from China and North Korea.
Alejano said the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) also told the House during the budget deliberation that the drugs come from China and North Korea.
“It is quite evident during the recent committee hearing of the House Committee on Justice, and the pronouncements made by PDEA and DDB during their budget deliberation, that China and North Korea are the source of drugs being traded here in the Philippines,” Alejano said.
“Yet, we are thankful with China’s provision of a drug rehabilitation facility when they are the main contributor to our drug problem. The President should demand that China, on their part, initiate actions to help curb the supply of drugs exported in the Philippines,” he added.
Alejano found alarming that Duterte was quick to criticize the United States and the European Union, but was silent on China despite the drug links.
“It is quite startling that the President has no strong statements against China yet he is quick to chastise the US, the EU, and the UN when they interfere with his plans,” Alejano said.
Alejano also shot down Duterte’s proposal to use military camps as drug rehabilitation centers.
“I am not comfortable with the construction of drug rehab facilities inside our military camps as it compromises the security of these camps. It is also not the function of the AFP to look after drug peddlers and users. I prefer using these camps for productive ventures, the revenues generated therein may be used by the government to pay for the arrears of our pensioners,” Alejano said. JE/rga
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