A4 HEADLINE
PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY September 1 - 15 , 2016
Filipino Canadians support Duterte war against drugs
The determined campaign by President Rodrigo Duterte to rid the Philippines of illegal drugs is being watched with great interest by many Filipinos in Canada .
Citing feedback from several members of the community in the Vancouver area , Rene Bahena said that Canadian Filipinos are mostly supportive of the drive to root out drug lords and stop the illegal drug trade .
“ There is a lot of positive feedback because many areas in the Philippines are now safer ,” Bahena said . “ The war against drugs is a phenomenal success considering that it ’ s just two months since President Duterte assumed power .”
Duterte , a former mayor of Davao City , has promised during the campaign leading up to the May 2016 presidential election that he will wage a merciless war against drugs . He took office on June 30 this year .
Among the people Bahena has spoken to are Canadian Filipinos who either regularly travel to the Philippines or keep close contact with relatives in Philippines . He has also talked to Filipino entrepreneurs who travel to Canada for business .
“ What they ’ re saying is
Statement by the Prime Minister of Canada on the anniversary of 9 / 11 and the National Day of Service
The Prime Minister , Justin Trudeau , today issued the following statement on the 15th anniversary of the September 11 , 2001 terrorist attacks and the National Day of Service :
“ Today , we mark the 15th anniversary of the terrorist attacks in the United States that killed nearly 3,000
Clark government needs to step up action on Fentanyl crisis
VANCOUVER — Five months after B . C .’ s provincial health officer declared a public health emergency related to Fentanyl overdoses , the Christy Clark government is still not treating the crisis seriously enough , say New Democrats .
“ This is a public safety crisis that puts both casual and experienced drug users throughout the province at risk every day ,” said New Democrat public safety spokesperson Mike Farnworth . “ Sons , daughters , fathers and mothers are dying
that change can be seen down at the barangay or village level ,” Bahena said . “ Many drug dealers have gotten the message that they either stop or face the full force of the law .”
Bahena was interviewed by the Philippine Asian News Today in his personal capacity . Although he is the WW , a group that supports Duterte , Bahena emphasized that he is not speaking for the group because the organization has yet to discuss its official position .
“ Personally , I believe that President Duterte is doing the right thing ,” Bahena said . “ The Philippines was on the verge of becoming a narcostate before he came to power .”
In Manila , administration officials claimed that the illegal drugs supply in the country has been cut by as much as 90 percent in just two months .
A Philippine National Report released on September 10 said that a total of 1,466 suspected people involved in drugs were killed during police operations . Another 1,490 were killed by suspected vigilantes since Duterte took over as president .
More than 16,000 suspects involved in illegal drugs have been arrested while the number of those
innocent victims – including 24 Canadians .
“ On this solemn day , we join with the families and friends of the victims to remember and honour those who fell . We also offer our heartfelt support to those still struggling with the physical and emotional injuries they sustained on 9 / 11 .
“ We recognize the
every day from this drug crisis , and Christy Clark ’ s government is not taking it seriously enough .
“ After more than 400 deaths this year alone , the premier has not taken the most basic steps . She should license the ownership of pill presses and tablet machines . This is legislation that has already been passed by the government of Alberta and which we introduced just this summer , but Christy Clark has refused to who voluntarily handed themselves in numbered 700,000 , according to a report by the Philippines Star .
“ The police operations have been a success ,” Martin Andanar , the Presidential Communications Office Secretary , told a government radio station .
However , Andanar added : “ But the killings that have something to do with gang wars or internecine since they eliminate each other , of course that is a cause for concern .”
Andanar said : “ These do not fall under the ambit of the law .” He added that the authorities were investigating the killings , which have drawn protests from human rights advocates .
The same view was expressed by Vancouverbased articling law student Giovanni Mata .
A lawyer from the Philippines , Mata will soon write his exam to become a full-fledged lawyer in Canada . He is personally acquainted with Philippine boxing hero and now Senator Manny Pacquiao , to whom he has been a legal counsel .
Mata explained that many of the reported deaths of drug dealers occurred during legitimate police operations .
“ Police forces in the
extraordinary courage and bravery of the first responders on that day and the days that followed . We honour the EMTs , the firefighters , the police officers , and all those who ran toward the sounds of danger and the plumes of smoke , risking their lives so others might live .
“ While 9 / 11 will long pass it .
“ People can see that Christy Clark thinks that putting government political ads on television is a good use of taxpayer dollars . But that money and those ads would be better used educating the public about this crisis and how they can keep their families and friends alive and safe .
“ The provincial task force is working hard , but if the premier won ’ t do something simple like banning pill presses , then how do we know that she ’ ll
WWW . PHILIPPINEASIANNEWSTODAY . COM
Philippines and elsewhere across the world have the authority to use legitimate force to enforce the law ,” Mata said .
He also noted that unexplained deaths are mainly attributed to criminals killing off each other .
“ President Duterte is a lawyer , and he respects due process of law ,” Mata said . “ It is important to uphold the rule of law always , and although there are some criticisms about the campaign against illegal drugs , the push by the Duterte administration to cut off the drug trade is a commendable one .”
Philippine National Police Director General Ronald dela Rosa said in Zamboanga City said that the drug war launched by Duterte has resulted in the supply of illegal drugs being cut by up to 90 percent .
“ We have severely cut the head of the supply ,” Dela Rosa said .
Drug lords held in prison facilities have also seen their drug activities severely curtailed after convicted drug lords were stopped from operating their drugs trade from within the prisons .
“ They [ drug traffickers ] cannot order [ drugs ] because they have no cell phones . So there ’ s no supply coming in and they could not distribute ,”
be remembered as a day of destruction and terror , let us also remember it for the remarkable humanity that was shown in such a tragic time . May we never forget the countless Canadians , from coast to coast to coast , who opened their hearts and their homes to those affected by the attacks .
“ On behalf of the
take the immediate actions necessary to act on the task force recommendations ? The families of the over 400 people who have already died this year expect nothing less .”
Sue Hammell , New Democrat spokesperson on mental health and addictions , said that many people with addiction problems aren ’ t getting the services that they need in B . C ., and said broken promises from the Christy Clark government are adding to the
Dela Rosa said .
Duterte said in a media report that he wants to revive the death penalty to address the country ’ s growing drug problem , which he claims has reached “ epidemic proportions .”
According to the President , there are 3.7 million drug addicts in the Philippines .
“ We do not have a death penalty . So who would impose the death penalty ? It would be Duterte ,” he said
On his return to the Philippines from the recent ASEAN summit in Laos , he told reporters that he had highlighted the Philippines “ grave concern over the social illness that breeds corruption at the highest levels , tears apart the fabric of our society and the basis of human dignity ”.
“ I said our campaign against illegal drugs will be relentless , and it will be comprehensive , encompassing , suppression , prosecution and rehabilitation . All these measures are within the laws . I called on greater cooperation in the region , particularly in the capacity building and law enforcement efforts ,” Duterte said .
Government of Canada , Sophie and I encourage Canadians to remember the tremendous outpouring of goodwill shown on 9 / 11 by participating in charitable and community activities , and other worthy causes across the country , as part of the National Day of Service .”
problem .
“ The time for one off solutions delivered via photo ops has past . Premier Christy Clark is failing people who need mental health and addiction treatment and has failed to meet her election commitment for new addiction treatment spaces – a promise that was made long before this crisis hit ,” said Hammell .
“ Vulnerable people can ’ t wait until she gets around to it . Further delays means more lives lost in this case .”( ndp )