Duterte: Philippines, China partnering in combating drug trade, criminality

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday said that the Philippines and China are united in fighting what he called the “pernicious and rotten social diseases” that devour the country.

In his speech during the Boao Forum in Hainan, China, Duterte admitted that bilateral relations with his giant neighbor are “complex” but said that these are not barriers to a positive and mutually-beneficial engagement.

“With China, we stand together in the war on criminality and illegal drug trade,” he said.

The chief executive added: “We are shoulder to shoulder in the fights against terrorism and violent extremism. Make no mistake, there can be no progress without stability in Asia’s lands and waters.”

Speaking before other heads of state and business elites, Duterte also boasted that the country is making “considerable headway.”

“We have improved the peace and order situation, we have sustained the battle against corruption and strengthening policy framework for businesses to thrive,” he said.

China, Philippines’ common ground: Battle vs illegal drugs

After years of being at loggerheads over the South China Sea, the Philippines and China seemed to have found a common ground: combating the illegal drug trade.

During his visit to China in 2016, Duterte signed an agreement on the protocol on cooperation between the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the Narcotics Control Bureau of the Ministry of Public Security of China to deal with drug-related crimes between the two countries.

China also funded two major drug treatment and rehabilitation centers in Mindanao.

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Last month, Beijing backed Manila’s withdrawal from the Rome Statute and defended the government’s crackdown on illegal drugs, stressing that the campaign has improved public security and created a “sound environment” for the country’s economic development.

During the Universal Periodic Review undertaken by the United Nations Human Rights Council in May 2017, China also called on the international community to support the Philippines’ anti-narcotics endeavors and fully respect the country’s sovereignty.

Even United States President Donald Trump seemed to admire the drug policies of China and the Philippines.

The campaign has resulted in the deaths of at least 4,000 drug suspects although critics and human rights groups have higher estimates.

China has been identified by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency as the top source of illegal drugs.