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China stresses support for PHL drug war, has no comment on rights abuses


China on Tuesday stressed its support for Presidnet Rodrigo Duterte's ongoing war against illegal drugs while withholding any comment on the extrajudicial killings blamed on the anti-narcotics campaign.

In an interview with Howie Severino on GMA News TV's "News To Go", Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua adverted to the memorandum of understanding between the two countries as regards combating illegal drugs.

He said China would be ready to share intelligence information with Philippine authorities to stop drug shipments.

The Philippines recently seized P6.4 billion worth of shabu that was shipped from China to the Philippines.

"We have already provided equipment, assistance to the drug enforcement agency, to the national police of the Philippines in their fight against the illegal drugs," Zhao said.

"Let me make it clear that illegal drugs is a common enemy faced by all nation in the world, China and the Philippines are included so we are ready to further cooperate with the Filipino side to eradicate the drug menace," he added.

Asked about the human rights situation in the country, Zhao said, "China adheres to the policy on non-interference so it is not appropriate for me to comment on something happening internally in the PH and to the statement made by other countries are their comments on their own policies."

Zhao and Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Mark Villar oversaw the turnover of 47 heavy equipment from China to the Philippines at the DPWH Head Office in Port Area Manila on Tuesday morning.

The heavy equipment worth P155 million will be used to rebuild Marawi City under the DPWH and Department of National Defense as part of Task Force Bangon Marawi. —Rie Takumi/NB, GMA News

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