Robredo's appointment to ICAD may attract int'l support for drug war —Heydarian

The fresh leadership of Vice President Leni Robredo in the government's controversial anti-illegal drugs campaign may actually attract more partners from the international community, according to GMA resident analyst Richard Heydarian on Tuesday.

"Dito papasok ang importance ng appointment ni Leni Robredo dahil mukhang supported ito ng United States, supported ito ng United Nations, dahil para sa kanila at least si Leni Robredo more rehabilitation-focused at human rights observant 'yung kaniyang approach," Heydarian said on GMA's Unang Hirit.

"Malaki 'yung posibilidad na babalik 'yung tulong from our international partners pagdating sa war on drugs," he added.

Heydarian said that due to criticisms and human rights concerns over the Duterte administration's implementation of the drug war, the Philippines previously witnessed some of its international allies withdraw from partnerships.

He cited the moves of the US Senate to block the sale of rifles to the Philippine National Police and Israel's decision to call off its law enforcement cooperation with the Philippines last year.

Robredo's decision to accept the offer of President Rodrigo Duterte to co-chair the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD) can be considered a "plot twist" in the country's politics and anti-drugs campaign, according to Heydarian.

"Leni Robredo may not really be the drug czar. President Duterte still has the final decision pero unti-unti nagkakaroon siya ng more momentum, more power, and more resources and help," he said.

On Monday, Robredo met with officials from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in connection with her new role as co-chair of ICAD. —Dona Magsino/KG, GMA News