SENATOR Richard Gordon has called on the Department of Foreign Affairs to send a note verbale to the Chinese Embassy regarding reports that many Chinese citizens are involved in the drug trade here..
Gordon warned the DFA that China could be invading the Philippines through drugs, adding that Philippine law enforcers have admitted that the bulk of the illegal drugs entering the country comes from China.
He said the government should appeal to China to help arrest their citizens who bring drugs here.
The senator said the DFA should ask Chinese Customs authorities, as well as the officials of their airports and seaports, to strictly inspect Philippines-bound shipments and Chinese travelers.
At the Senate Public Order and Dangerous Drugs committee hearing, Gordon clarified that he was not saying that the proliferation of illegal drugs in the country is state-sponsored.
But Gordon said China should be accountable for their citizens.
Drug enforcement authorities disclosed that at least 3.7-million Filipinos are affected by the drug menace, 1.8 million of them being metamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu users.
For her part, Senator Grace Poe asked Philippine National Police Chief Ronald ‘Bato’ Dela Rosa to brief senators on cases of drug-related killings amid the rising number of deaths since the government intensified its campaign against illegal drugs.
Poe said she fully supported the administration’s campaign against illegal drugs and commended the police’s determination to eliminate the menace, but she underscored the need to protect basic human rights.
“We really want to curb the drug problem but this goes with protecting our people and giving them a fair chance to defend themselves, especially if they surrender,” stressed the senator.
She pointed out that the Filipinos are really tired of crimes and drugs so they’re merely ignoring these killings until they happen to their family or friends.
“They’re saying there should be limitations to the killings. The process should be right and speedy,” Poe said.
She said the anti-drug campaign must include rehabilitation programs especially for the poor who cannot afford the high cost of treatment, and urged a partnership between the government and the private sector in the building of more rehabilitation centers and facilities.
Dela Rosa admitted that deaths “under investigation” stood at 899 from July 1 to August 15, with 665 of them during legitimate operations. Only 22 cases were filed in court with regard to deaths under investigation