DFA chief: Phl open to drug war probe

The Philippines discussed with the United States its openness to receive independent observers or investigators to look into the drug problem and the government’s campaign against illegal drugs.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano reiterated his statement during the United Nations General Assembly that the country has nothing to hide as regards its human rights record.

Cayetano told US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson during a meeting in Washington on Wednesday that the Philippines is ready to work with observers or investigators on human rights amid the war on drugs if they can assure that they would be independent and fair.

“We would welcome experts if they can assure us they would not politicize the investigations because we want to make sure the outcome would be credible,” he said.

He emphasized the seriousness of the illegal drug problem in the Philippines.

Cayetano also clarified to his US counterpart that the Philippines does not have a state policy allowing extrajudicial killings, especially of illegal drug suspects.

During the meeting at the State Department, Cayetano and Tillerson pledged to continue working closely together on issues of mutual interest and concern.

The Philippine embassy in Washington said the two secretaries reaffirmed the importance of the partnership and alliance between both countries, which Tillerson noted is “on an upward vector.”

“Secretary Tillerson and I discussed a broad range of bilateral issues, including our ongoing campaign against criminality, terrorism and illegal drugs,” he added.

Cayetano said he informed Tillerson that Manila would welcome further cooperation with Washington, especially on initiatives that would address the illegal drugs problem in the country.

“In the 25 years that I have been in public service, I have seen statistics from various sources placing the number of drug users and dependents from as low as one million to as high as seven million,” Cayetano said.

“Although the statistics, the classification of users and the methodology used vary, they all still point to the seriousness of the illegal drug problem in the Philippines,” he said.

Cayetano also expressed the Philippines’ appreciation for the $2-million assistance that Washington extended to support the government campaign against illegal drugs.

The amount, covered under the Amendment to the Existing Letter of Agreement on Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement, is intended to support Philippine initiatives on public health and community-based interventions.

The amendment was signed by Cayetano and US Ambassador Sung Kim in Manila on Sept. 8.