© Provided by GMA News Online Malacañang Palace as seen from Bahay Pangarap. Photo: Malacañang Photo Bureau
Malacañang on Wednesday said that the United States Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs’ support for President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs indicates a growing appreciation for the positive impact of the administration's efforts to curb anti-illegal drugs.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement that the administration’s anti-illegal drug efforts were also supported by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, China, and Japan.
He reiterated that the Duterte administration never committed extrajudicial killings.
“These efforts are anchored on respect for human rights, cognizant of our obligation to protect our people’s right to life and to live in peace and security. And we wish to reiterate that extrajudicial killings never had - and will never have - a place in the anti-illegal drug campaign,” Roque said.
Walsh in a telephonic press briefing on Tuesday evening said that the US is being “consciously optimistic” in Duterte’s drug war.
Roque also highlighted the achievements of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, which was tasked to lead the drug war over the Philippine National Police that relaunched the controversial Oplan Tokhang this week.
“The significant strides of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in the conduct of anti-drug operations have been noteworthy with dens and clandestine laboratories dismantled and drugs seized with fewer drug-related deaths,” he said.
“We are confident that the re-launch of the Philippine National Police Operation Tokhang would have similar results. This early, there have been hundreds of surrenderees and no casualty on its first day,” Roque added. —NB, GMA News