MANILA, July 21 — Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have strongly encouraged the Philippine government to continue developing prevention and rehabilitation mechanisms nationwide, which they deemed keys in addressing drug issues.
The four-member delegation of the Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) visited the Philippines on July 18 to 20 led by Soraya Post, and composed of Adam Kosa, Josef Weidenholzer and Rikke Karlsson.
The delegation visited a center for juvenile offenders and called on the government to “take care of their fate and provide sufficient support.”
In a statement, it encouraged the country to identify cases of drug-related arrests where they could put in place an independent investigation mechanism, and to include this issue in the National Monitoring Mechanism in order to put an end to impunity.
Delegation chair Post said the mission aimed to gather information and exchange views on issues of mutual interest.
The Duterte administration has waged an aggressive war against illegal drugs.
Likewise, MEPs welcomed the government’s policy to battle the problem of illegal drugs, to alleviate poverty, to provide free access to university education and to invest in human capital in terms of health, including reproductive health as well as the peace processes. (LDV/PNA)
