SEND A NOTE VERBALE TO CHINA ON RP'S DRUG SITUATION - GORDON

With Philippine law enforcers admitting that the bulk of the illegal drugs entering the country comes from China, Senator Richard J. Gordon yesterday proposed that the Department of Foreign Affairs should send a note verbale to the Chinese Embassy.

During a joint Senate hearing, Gordon assured that he is not saying that it is state-sponsored but the DFA should inform the Chinese government that there is a serious drug problem in the Philippines and that according to law enforcement authorities the drugs or raw materials for manufacturing drugs come from China.

"That is an act of friendliness. We take them into account...I'm not going to accuse China that it is state-sponsored. Remember, I said this is dangerous. There could be national security concerns here. They could be invading us with drugs. We have empirical data that many Chinese (citizens) are involved in the drug trade here. They should be accountable for their citizens," he said.

Drug enforcement authorities disclosed during the hearing that at least 3.7-million Filipinos are affected by the drug menace, 1.8-million of them are metamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu users.

The senator said the DFA should appeal to China for help in arresting their citizens involved in the illegal drugs trade by ensuring that their Customs authorities, as well as the officials of their airports and seaports, should strictly inspect Philippines-bound shipments and Chinese travelers.

"We should send them a note verbale. Tell them that we have a severe problem here, according to our law enforcement authorities the drugs are coming from China. We appeal to them to help us by being pro-active in making sure that all the goods headed to the Philippines and all the citizens coming to the Philippines are told that we do not give you the death penalty, so we are asking you to help us arrest all these people who are bringing drugs to our country, bringing materials to our country," he said.