Pope Francis urging gov’ts to combat drug addiction a boost for PHL drug war — Malacañang

Malacañang on Sunday claimed that Pope Francis' recent remarks urging governments to fight drug addiction is a boost to the Philippines' war on drugs.

“We consider Vatican's remarks as a boost in our campaign as we battle the twin evils of crimes and drugs,” presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement.

In the statement, the Palace also took a swipe at the "noise coming from the loud minority," composed of President Rodrigo Duterte’s "detractors" in the country and abroad.

The Pope said that it is the duty and responsibility of governments to take charge in fighting against drug perpetrators.

“All of us are called to combat the production, processing and distribution of drugs worldwide,” Pope said in the conference with the theme Drugs and Addictions: An Obstacle to Integral Human Development.

“It is the duty and responsibility of governments courageously to undertake this fight against those who deal in death,” he continued.

Panelo said that the Pope’s remarks are the core reason behind the drug war; that is, to save future generations from the drug menace.

The Catholic Church in the Philippines has expressed its opposition to the administration's bloody war on drugs, which has taken the lives of thousands of people in the two years since Duterte came to power.

In turn, Duterte has been vocal in his disdain for the Church, and even blasted the Pope in the past for the traffic caused by his visit to the Philippines in 2015. — Joviland Rita/BM, GMA News