Order of Lapu-Lapu conferred on Chinese billionaire

DAVAO CITY--- President Duterte conferred the Order of Lapu-Lapu Award with the Rank of Kamagi to Jose Kho, the Chinese billionaire who funded the construction of drug rehabilitation and treatment centers to help drug users in the Visayas and Mindanao.

The ceremonies were held at Malacanang yesterday.

Kho, also known as Xu Ming Liang, is the founder of Friends of the Philippines Foundation who have real estate and tourism businesses in Xiamen, China.

Kho actually followed another Chinese tycoon, Huang Rulun, in offering the President for them to fund the construction of the drug rehab centers in an effort to support Duterte’s war against drugs.

Huang funded the 10,000bed mega drug center at the military headquarters in Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija.

Kho, on the other hand, is behind the construction of a P700-million drug rehabilitation center in Malaybalay, Bukidnon.

The Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Center can accommodate up to 5,000 people.

The Order of Lapu-Lapu was created and shall be awarded in recognition of invaluable or extraordinary service in relation to a campaign or advocacy of the President.

The Lapu-Lapu Kamagi medal is awarded to officials and personnel of government and private individuals who have contributed significantly to the success of an activity in pursuit of a campaign of the President such as that against illegal drugs.