The head of the Taiwan Economic Cooperation Office (Teco) Dr. Gary Song-Huann Lin said he told some Philippine governmental officials and members of the Senate that Taiwan has never been the source of illegal drugs entering the country.
He added the Philippine Drug Enforcement Authority (PDEA) statistics shows majority of the drug “is actually manufactured in the Philippines, not from overseas”.
“As the Philippines is closest neighbor, Taiwan has the goodwill to work with the authorities here to combat the transnational illegal drugs,” Lin said in a statement, as he highlighted the need and the importance of joint efforts in fighting against the drugs, in an era of global village and globalization facing Taiwan and the Philippines today.
Lin added his suggestions and insights on Taiwan being an absolutely indispensable partner in the Philippines’s endeavor of fighting transnational drugs have been very well received by the general public and law-enforcement agencies.
“Taiwan fully supports the Philippines’s [efforts to] combat transnational drug syndicates,” Lin said.
“Taiwan and the Philippines have been working together to fight against illegal drugs for years. Taiwan will continue to join hands with the Philippine relevant authorities to enhance cooperation to vigorously eliminate the transnational drug trafficking.”
In recent years, Lin said Taiwan and the Philippines have established cooperation mechanisms and systems for the two countries to fight against the illegal transnational drug trafficking.
Taiwan and the Philippines have signed the mutual legal-assistance agreement between the Teco and its counterpart, the Manila Economic Cooperation Office, on criminal matters.
These are the “memorandum of understanding [MOU] on combatting transnational crimes” and the “MOU on cooperation of anti-illegal drugs”.
According to the Teco head, the interaction and exchange of visits of relevant agencies and the law-enforcement officers between Taiwan and the Philippines are frequent and cordial.
“So far, tangible results have been achieved in fighting transnational drug crimes. The Philippine authorities have publicly praised Taiwan on many occasions by indicating that ‘Taiwan is one of the best partners and friends for the Philippines to fight transnational drugs and crimes’.”
Teco noted the achievements of Philippines-Taiwan cooperation are marvelous in the recent three years.
“As a result of the joint efforts, the Philippine authorities have been able to root out 12 important cases resulting in the confiscation of over 1,000 kilograms of shabu [methamphetamine], more than 8,000 kg of semifinished products and raw materials, three shabu laboratories, one distribution station and six shipments via the air cargo and sea container,” he revealed.
He said the market value of the above seizures is more than NT $2 billion (equivalent to about P3.2 billion) and the Philippine authorities “have been grateful for Taiwan’s unreserved assistance and contribution in cracking down on the illegal drugs”.
Lin added the PDEA, the National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine National Police have presented 10 Appreciation Plaques to Taiwan’s counterparts to express their gratitude.
This, he said, is a confirmation of Taiwan’s staunch and strong support and cooperation in fighting against illegal drugs.
“Through various agreements and MOUs signed by Taiwan and the Philippines, the Philippine government’s antidrug policy has gradually attained the goal of crushing the illegal transnational drugs syndicates,” Lin added.
