President Duterte’s looks to China to help in drug war

World Today

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Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s state visit to Beijing this week is expected to restore normal, friendly and cooperative ties between China and the Philippines.

One of the areas where the two countries are seen working together is in Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs. A mega drug rehabilitation facility is set to open in the country next month, and it is being made possible by a Chinese businessman.

CCTV’s Barnaby Lo has more. Follow Barnaby Lo ‏on Twitter @barnabychuck

Since President Duterte launched a heavy crackdown on illegal drugs over three months ago, more than 3,000 have been killed either by police in what they said are legitimate anti-drug operations or by unknown assailants. Hundreds of thousands of drug users and dealers have surrendered. Many of them are now in rehab. This rehabilitation center, the largest in the country, can accommodate up to a thousand patients. It now has over 1,400.

But a new drug reform facility may soon take some of the burden off the government’s existing rehab centers. A new, 10,000-capacity in-patient facility is being rushed for completion. And it is being built with Chinese money.

While practically the entire Western world has criticized Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs, China has pledged to fully support this crusade of Duterte’s. The mega drug rehab facility, scheduled to open in November, is being funded by a Chinese businessman.