‘Legal drug war’ in Philippines elates US exec

MANILA, Philippines — The United States is “encouraged” by reports about drug operations in the country conducted within the rule of law, a visiting State Department official said Wednesday.

Patrick Murphy, acting principal deputy assistant secretary for East Asia and the Pacific of the US State Department, said he was glad to hear about Philippine government officials discussing the anti-drug campaign conducted in accordance with the rule of law.

“And that’s very good for us to hear. We’re encouraged to hear about those efforts,” Murphy told reporters at a press briefing.

Murphy said the US understands the challenges the Philippines faces in its anti-drug campaign at the national, international and the community level.

“We want to be good partners. Of course as allies and friends we speak frankly. We speak honestly. Occasionally each country has concerns with each other and in the effort to counter narcotics here,” Murphy said. “We very much hope and we message this hope that the Philippines will continue to conduct this campaign in accordance with the rule of law and respect for human rights.”

The war on illicit narcotics, he said, is an endeavor shared by both the Philippines and the US.

“The Philippines has a very significant challenge. The US does have as well. We’re experiencing an opioid crisis,” he added.

The US has expressed concern about drug-related killings in the Philippines and has offered assistance to rehabilitation efforts as well as stopping international trafficking groups.