Philippines seeks tougher ASEAN vs illegal drugs: source

Christian V. Esguerra, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/news/02/19/021917_pdea.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) operatives stand on guard near confiscated illegal drugs before destroying them through thermal decomposition in Trece Martires, Cavite Thursday. <cite>Romeo Ranoco, Reuters</cite></div></figcaption></figure></div>BORACAY ISLAND, Aklan - The Philippines will push for a stronger region-wide response against illegal drugs, a top priority of President Rodrigo Duterte whose drug war is blamed for the killing of thousands of drug suspects in the country.Ministers from the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will converge on this island resort starting Monday to tackle agenda items, including a collective action against the threat of ISIS terrorists in the region.They also hope to finish a code of conduct framework on the South China Sea within the year, amid Beijing&#x27;s reclamation and construction of military facilities in disputed areas.But while the Philippines will seek greater cooperation against drug trafficking, this year&#x27;s ASEAN host is not expected to impose its heavy-handed approach on its peers.Nor will the Philippines want its neighbors to interfere in its own war on drugs, said a diplomat familiar with the discussions.&quot;Cooperation but non-interference,&quot; he told ABS-CBN News.More than 7,000 drug-related killings have been reported in Duterte&#x27;s first seven months in office, alarming traditional ally the United States and international human rights groups.At the regional summit in Laos last year, Duterte said drug trafficking &quot;has emerged as a pressing problem for our countries, undermining social cohesion and the rule of law and socioeconomic program of a country.&quot;Duterte sought &quot;stronger resolve and action to combat transnational crime&quot; within the regional bloc.Mechanisms to combat illegal drugs within the region go beyond law enforcement, which critics say has been the focus of Duterte&#x27;s bloody campaign.They include &quot;preventive drug education, treatment and rehabilitation.&quot;

BORACAY ISLAND, Aklan - The Philippines will push for a stronger region-wide response against illegal drugs, a top priority of President Rodrigo Duterte whose drug war is blamed for the killing of thousands of drug suspects in the country.

BORACAY ISLAND, Aklan - The Philippines will push for a stronger region-wide response against illegal drugs, a top priority of President Rodrigo Duterte whose drug war is blamed for the killing of thousands of drug suspects in the country.

Philippines seeks tougher ASEAN vs illegal drugs: source | ABS-CBN

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Philippines seeks tougher ASEAN vs illegal drugs: source

Philippines seeks tougher ASEAN vs illegal drugs: source

Christian V. Esguerra,

ABS-CBN News

Published Feb 19, 2017 11:58 AM PHT

|

Updated Feb 19, 2017 06:34 PM PHT

Read More:

war on drugs ASEAN

ASEAN 2017

Southeast Asia

South China Sea

diplomacy

China

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