Taiwan has never been the source of illegal drugs entering the Philippines. Rather, Taiwan is the best partner for the Philippines to jointly combat illegal transnational drugs, Taipei said in a statement.
“Taiwan fully supports the Philippines’s combat against transnational drug syndicates. 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 traffickings.
In recent years, Taiwan and the Philippines have established cooperation mechanisms and systems for the two countries to fight against the illegal transnational drug trafficking. At present, Taiwan and the Philippines have signed ‘Mutual Legal Assistance Agreement between Teco (Taipei Economic and Cultural Office) and Meco (Manila Economic and Cultural Office) in criminal matters,’ ‘MOU (memorandum of understanding) between Teco and Meco on combatting transnational crimes,’ and ‘MOU on Cooperation of Anti-Illegal Drugs’.
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 on 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’.
The achievements of the bilateral 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 [finished products], more than 8,000 kilograms of semi-finished products and raw materials, 3 shabu laboratories, 1 distribution station and 6 shipments via the air cargo and sea container. The market value of the above seizures is more than NT $ 2 billion (equivalent to about P3.2 billion). The Philippine authorities have been grateful for Taiwan’s unreserved assistance and contribution in cracking down on the illegal drugs.
To thank Taiwan’s contributions, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), the National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine National Police have presented 10 Appreciation Plaques to Taiwan’s counterparts to express their gratitude. They have commended Taiwan’s staunch and strong support and cooperation in fighting against the 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.
Dr. Gary Song-Huann Lin, representative of Taiwan to the Philippines, has recently approached the relevant Philippine governmental agencies and the Senate to clarify that Taiwan has never been the source of illegal drugs and that, according to the available PDEA statistics, the majority of the drug is actually manufactured in the Philippines, not from overseas. He once again reiterated that, as a closest neighbor, Taiwan has the goodwill to work with the Philippine authorities to combat the transnational illegal drugs. 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’s above insightful points and remarks on Taiwan being an absolutely indispensable partner in the Philippines’s endeavour of fighting transnational drugs are very well received by the Philippines general public and the law-enforcement agencies.”