The United States has declared support for the government’s ongoing campaign against illegal drugs, Vice President and drug czar Leni Robredo said yesterday.
Robredo said officials of various US agencies expressed their support and cooperation to the Philippines’ drug war during a meeting with her at the Quezon City Reception House.
“Nagpapasalamat ako na naging agaran ang kanilang pakikipagkita sa akin matapos ang aking pagkakatalaga. Ipinahiwatig nila ang kanilang buong suporta at kooperasyon sa ating kampanya laban sa iligal na droga,” she said.
“At, bilang kaibigan ng Pilipinas, gagawin nila ang lahat para tayo ay magtagumpay sa laban na ito,” Robredo added.
Robredo, who co-chairs the Inter-agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs, was given a briefing by representatives of various US agencies on how they can assist the Philippines in combating illegal drugs.
The Vice President met with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Agency, the Department of State, and US Agency for International Development.
The meeting lasted for two hours at the QCRH, where Robredo holds office.
Robredo said strengthening programs on drug use prevention and community-based drug rehabilitation, amendments to the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, and a clear data on drugs were among the topics discussed during the meeting.
“Napag-usapan din ang mga kakulangan sa kasalukuyang kampanya at ang mga tulong na maaari pa nilang maibigay para lalong paigtingin ang kampanya laban sa droga,” she said.
US Press Attaché Heather Fabrikant said they discussed with Robredo the current state of counter-narcotics cooperation between the countries.
The Vice President was also given a briefing upon her request on the “ongoing and potential US government-funded programs to assist the Philippine government efforts in drug demand reduction,” she said.
Robredo has been meeting with various groups, from anti-illegal drugs advocates in the Philippines to international organizations, to discuss possible partnerships in the drug war.
On Monday, she sat down with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to know the “best practices” of other Southeast Asian countries, followed by her meeting with the core members of the Community-Based Drug Rehabilitation Alliance. (Raymund F. Antonio)