Noynoy defends his admin's record against drugs

Former President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday defended his administration's efforts to curb drug-related problems in the country.

In an exclusive interview on "24 Oras," Aquino cited figures that showed the decrease of drug dependents during his term.

"Minsan kasi may mga nagtatanong wala raw akong ginawa dito, pinabayaan ko etc... balikan niyo na lang 'yung dami ng huli namin no," Aquino said.

"Nung nag-umpisa kami, nasa 1.7M ang estimated users, napababa ng 1.3M tapos nung 2015, nung medyo malapit-lapit na si arbitration at ewan ko kung may koneksyon at matindi 'yung pressure na mag-slow down with arbitration, umangat ulit ng 1.8M," he added.

In 2014, the Philippines filed an arbitration case against China contesting Beijing’s massive claim on almost the entire South China Sea, believed to have rich deposits in oil and gas. The tribunal ruled in favor of the Philippines in 2016.

Since taking office, the war on drugs has been at the centerpiece of President Rodrigo Duterte's administration. But critics have hit out at the rising number of what they called extrajudicial killings of drug suspects, which the government has dismissed as mere homicide cases, attributing many of them to vigilantes and crime syndicates.

When asked about the killings, Aquino said authorities are obligated to arrest the perpetrators of the crime in order to achieve peace and order.

"Obligasyon ng estado na hulihin 'yung salarin. 'Pag nahuli, napababa itong mga murders na 'to eh 'di successful tayo doon sa crime at sa peace and order campaign. 'Pag 'di nahuli, dun mag-uumpisa lahat ng tanong bakit 'di nahuli, meron bang sincere effort?" Aquino said. —Anna Felicia Bajo/JST, GMA News