DFA assures envoys on drug war

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has stressed the commitment of the Duterte administration to combating the drug menace in the country amid concerns by foreign diplomats about the extrajudicial killing of suspects.

In a diplomatic briefing conducted by Undersecretary for Policy Enrique Manalo, the DFA clarified the Philippine position on pressing issues such as the implementation of the arbitration ruling on the South China Sea and the deepening rift among Asean members because of the sea disputes, the nuclear tests in North Korea and the domestic problem of illegal drugs.
“DFA officials underscored the advocacies advanced by the Philippines in the abovementioned meetings,” the department said in a statement, including “the realization of a drug-free Asean.”

Concern from West

A diplomatic source, who requested anonymity, said several envoys expressed concern about the killing of drug suspects.

“There were several questions (from ambassadors) that focused on the rising number of deaths related to drugs,” said the source, who attended the briefing.

Asked who in particular expressed concern, the source said they were from Western countries.

The DFA organized the briefing for members of the diplomatic corps to clarify the position of the Philippines on pressing international and regional issues.

Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. earlier issued a note verbale to China after President Duterte said that country was a primary source of illegal drugs to the Philippines.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said China was willing to cooperate with the Philippines in the war against drugs, after the DFA summoned Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua to discuss alleged Chinese links to Filipino drug syndicates.