Press Release
August 26, 2016

GORDON EYES RAISING THE LEVEL OF RP-CHINA COOPERATION

Senator Richard J. Gordon has expressed hope that a raising of the level of cooperation between the Philippines and China will help in resolving the pervasive problem of illegal drugs in view of law enforcement authorities' disclosure that the bulk of illegal drugs in the country and raw materials for manufacturing such drugs come from China.

Gordon issued the statement as he welcomed the Department of Foreign Affairs' (DFA's) move to prepare a note verbale to be sent to China and summon China's ambassador to the Philippines to discuss the drug crisis.

"Kailangan patayin mo iyong gripo para tumigil...Kung tatanggalin ang pinanggagalingan ng droga, titigil ang droga rito. Maganda na ipaalam natin sa China, hindi lang inform, robustly inform, aggressively inform China that you are causing a problem to my country, to our country," he said.

The Philippines' drug problem has risen to very serious proportions as it has adversely affected around 3.7 million Filipinos who have become either drug users or pushers, of which 1 million are young persons who are either in or out of school.

Gordon pointed out that China recognizes the problem of illegal drugs which is shown by its resolute efforts to address the problem on its own soil.

"China recognizes the problem of illegal drugs as shown by its assiduous efforts - through its draconian security network - in arresting Filipinos and nationals of other countries who are arrested upon arrival as drug mules and now face the death penalty. We should tell China, in your country--pag pumasok ang Pilipino diyan, nahuhuli ninyo, isang daan ang nakukulong na Pilipino sa China, binibitay ninyo, pagkatapos sa inyo, pinalalabas ninyo yung tao rito para pumasok, magtinda ng droga, gumawa ng droga diyan sa China, hanggang sa preso nagagawa," he said.

The senator stressed that given China's robust security system, its own government could easily interdict the drugs and personnel coming out of China.

He also noted that a joint task force could be created to identify patterns of passengers and gather collective intelligence; initiate capacity building initiatives against transnational trafficking of drugs; and have the Chinese nationals involved in drug trade to be arrested in China, among others.

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