US declared support for Duterte’s drug war, says Palace

MANILA, Philippines—The United States (US) has declared support for President Rodrigo Duterte’s crackdown on illegal drugs, Malacañang said Thursday.

In a Palace briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim expressed the US government’s support to the Philippines’ drug war during a meeting with Duterte in Malacañang on Wednesday.

“The conversation centered on the President’s narrative, telling them how the drug war affected him and this country and that he had to declare war on drugs and he had to do it because he wants to protect and preserve this nation,” Panelo said.

“The President also told them that he will not stop until the end of his term to end this illegal traffic of prohibited drugs. In response, the US ambassador said the US government supports the fight against drugs,” he added.

The Palace official noted that it was Duterte  who raised the issue during the meeting with the US-Philippine Society.

“It’s the President who started talking. In fact, he was talking for more than half an hour,” Panelo said.

Under former US President Barack Obama, Washington had raised concerns over alleged violation of human rights linked to Duterte’s war on drugs.

Duterte then threatened to cut ties with the country’s longtime ally for its criticisms on his administration’s anti-drug campaign.

The two nation’s relationship recuperated under US President Donald Trump, whom Duterte referred to as his “friend.” /je