VICE-PRESIDENT (VP) Sara Duterte-Carpio on Sunday said the Philippines should strengthen law enforcement and intelligence-sharing with Southeast Asian neighbors to combat illegal drug trafficking.
“We recognize the concerns surrounding the Philippines’ role in regional drug trafficking and express my deep regret that our country has become associated with this problem,” she said in a statement.
“We also acknowledge the challenges our own country faces in addressing the illegal drug trade,” she added.
Ms. Duterte cited the governments of Laos and Thailand for their efforts to combat drug trafficking and strengthen regional security, saying their actions had helped protect Filipino families and make communities safer.
She said the Philippines, as a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), had a responsibility to intensify its efforts against the cross-border drug trade.
“We commit ourselves to strengthening our law enforcement efforts, improving regional intelligence-sharing, and deepening cooperation with our ASEAN partners to combat transnational drug trafficking,” she said. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking