Sirisena acknowledges cops slain during Philippine war on drugs

Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena during a briefing in Camp Crame. INQUIRER.net photo / Ryan Leagogo

MANILA, Philippines — Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena has recognized policemen who were killed during the anti-drug operations in the Philippines, saying Sri Lanka’s police officers also fall casualties while dispensing their duties to go after drug traffickers.

“I understand that all of you here carry out your duties [putting your life on the line],” Sirisena said during the Philippine National Police (PNP) briefing on anti-drug campaign on Saturday.

“In Sri Lanka, too, many police officers have lost their lives as a result of action by drug traffickers and we have responded to them accordingly,” he added.

With this, Sirisena believed that the whole world must respect the bloody drug war in the Philippines.

READ: Sri Lankan president repeats praise for Duterte’s drug war

“I believe the entire world not only the government of Sri Lanka, the entire world must respect the difficult task carried [out] by your president, your government and all of you as public officials,” Sirisena said.

Sirisena’s state visit began on Jan. 15 to 19.

Sirisena also showed support for the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign, saying it is an “example” for the whole world. /jpv

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