President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, September 20, met with United States Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim and discussed various issues concerning some of the administration’s policies.
A Palace statement released on Thursday, September 21, said among the issues tackled include the Philippine government’s “strong policies” against illegal drugs and terrorism in the country.
During their meeting, Kim told Duterte that he understands the challenges being faced by the administration in fighting drug menace.
Kim further cited the need to facilitate the investigation of drug-related deaths “to ensure continued people’s confidence in the government.”
In response, Duterte affirmed that anti-drug operations have been always within the bounds of the law.
The president also maintained that the administration “never condone” abusive policemen, citing the arrest order against the officers involved in the killing of 17-year-old Kian Loyd Delos Santos.
He further reiterated his commitment to end the “vicious and toxic” drug problem, which he said, could destroy a “fragile Philippine Republic.”
Kian was killed in an alleged shootout during an anti-illegal drug operation last month in Caloocan City, but CCTV footage and testimonies of witnesses challenge the enforcers’ claim.
The U.S. official previously expressed concern over the “tragic” deaths of teenagers at the hand of cops, calling for a “full investigation and accountability” from people responsible for the incidents.
While U.S. President Donald Trump lauds Duterte for his “unbelievable job” in cracking down narcotics, several high U.S. officials condemned the so-called drug war in the Philippines, including former U.S. President Barack Obama.
The drug war criticisms became the subject of the apparent rift in the two countries’ relationship, with Duterte accusing the U.S. government of meddling with the Philippines’ affairs in usually profane-laced speeches.
CHR budget
During his meeting with the U.S. envoy, Duterte also clarified that he “never directed” Congress to cut the budget of the Philippine Commission on Human Rights (CHR) next year. The president noted that while he may be the chief executive, he cannot control the decisions of the legislative body.
Last week, the House of Representatives voted to cut the CHR’s 2018 budget from the original P678 million to a measly P1,000 in an apparent bid to cripple the agency, which has been highly critical of the drug war—a move that sparked criticisms and fueled public anger.
But on Wednesday, the House restored the budget of the CHR. It also restored the P365 million budget of Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and P1.2 billion of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) for 2018 after both received the same P1,000 budget.
Terrorism
Concerning terrorism threats in Mindanao, Kim expressed Washington’s “all-out support” for the Philippines in its fight against terrorism.
In turn, Duterte thanked the U.S. government for its assistance and assured that it would be put to good use.
A decades-long ally of the Philippines, the U.S. has been providing technical assistance to Filipino troopers battling pro-Islamic State (IS) extremists in Marawi City, Mindanao.
Washington also recently donated P730 million ($15 million) in humanitarian aid for the ongoing relief operations and rehabilitation of the besieged city.
