LAUR, Nueva Ecija–A Chinese philanthropist who donated P1.4 billion to build a Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Center here on Tuesday expressed his admiration for President Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs.
”An overseas Chinese in the Philippines, I fully support President Duterte’s admirable campaign [against illegal drugs],” Huang Rulun, chairman of Century Golden Resources Group, said in his speech at the inauguration of the DATRC in Fort Magsaysay here.
Huang made his statement even as Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on Tuesday ordered newly-appointed Bureau of Corrections Director Benjamin De Los Santos to stop corruption at the agency and stop the illegal drug trade in the prisons including the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.
‘‘Our mandate from the President is to stop drugs, corruption and criminality,” Aguirre told De Los Santos.
“That is also the mandate of Director De Los Santos at the Bureau of Correction. As we are relentless, he will also be relentless.”
Huang said the illegal drugs that had long plagued governments and people all over the world were the common enemy of mankind.
”Taking office this June, President Duterte has decisively waged an anti-drug campaign with an irresistible force, adhering to the high faith and loyalty to uphold the independence of the Philippines and to seek long-lasting national destiny,” Huang said.
”Is to defend the national dignity, to deliver the goods and to win the hearts of the people. This effort in the contemporary era will benefit future generations.”
Huang said the DATRC was his modest effort to help the Duterte administration’s fight against illegal drugs and make the Philippines peaceful, stable and harmonious.
The DATRC has two phases with a total area of 100,000 square meters. The first phase that can house 2,500 patients was inaugurated on Tuesday by Duterte.
”Philippines and China are close neighbors. The people of the two countries have maintained a deep, friendly and long-lasting relationship,” Huang said.
He commended President Duterte for his efforts to strengthen the ties between China and the Philippines and to promote world peace.
”Firmly believe that under the leadership of President Duterte, and with the promotion of President Xi Jinping’s proposal of One Belt One Road Initiative as the international economic development strategy, and with the joint effort of multi-sectors in the Philippines, this beautiful island will surely set sail again and stand tall in the world,” Huang said.
The construction of the DATRC started last August, or only more than a month after President Duterte took his oath as the country’s 16th President and launched his strong war against drugs.
Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial said her department will supervise the DATRC and will field an initial 800 personnel to help in the rehabilitation of the initial 2,500 drug dependents. With PNA