The United States government has declared support for Duterte's campaign against the illegal drug trade, Malacañang said Thursday after President Duterte vowed to combat the menace during the remainder of his term.
United States Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim extended Washington’s support during a courtesy call on the President in Malacañan last Wednesday, according to Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo.
The “strong” U.S.-Philippine relations, the government’s drug war and the return of the Balangiga bells were among the issues tackled in the President’s meeting with Kim and the rest of the US-Philippine Society delegation at the Palace. The meeting, which lasted for one hour and a half Wednesday night, became a chance for the President to defend his drug war before his visitors.
“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 during a Palace press briefing.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte discusses matters with the officials from the US-Philippines Society who paid a courtesy call on the President at the Malacañan Palace on February 20, 2019. (SIMEON CELI JR./PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
He said that Duterte had explained to them that three million Filipinos have been “enslaved” by the drug problem in the country.
“It has created dysfunctional families; and many crimes have been attributed to the taking of illegal drugs. And the President also told them that he will not stop until the end of his term to end this illegal traffic of prohibited drugs,” Panelo said.
“In response, the U.S. Ambassador said that the U.S. government supports the fight against drugs,” Duterte’s spokesperson added.
Duterte said the relationship between the Philippines and U.S. “remains strong”, Panelo said.
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He said the President explained that three Filipinos have been enslaved by the drug industry which consequently created dysfunctional families.
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Source: Manila Bulletin
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