The chairman of the House Committee on the West Philippine Sea yesterday cited the Chinese government’s support to the Philippines’ fight against illegal drugs and drug-related crimes.
Former House Speaker Quezon City Rep. Feliciano Belmonte Jr. welcomed China’s readiness to help and work out a specific plan of action with the Philippine government to combat illegal drugs trade and arrest other drug-related crimes.
“It’s a great step forward primarily as to drugs, but also might ease the atmosphere for other problems,” Belmonte said.
But he said with or without China’s assistance, the government should flex its muscles to prosecute Chinese drug syndicates.
“It’s our responsibility to run after the Chinese drug syndicates here and eliminate them, whether China helps or not. Better if it does,” Belmonte said.
Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Rodel Batocabe challenged China to be sincere and serious in helping out the government in its counter-narcotics campaign.
“China should show its good intention first by apprehending Chinese drug lords which have linked to illicit trade here in the Philippines. Better still, if it can execute these criminals identified by President Duterte,” Batocabe said. (Charissa M. Luci)