By Jelly F. Musico
President Duterte with the Philippine flag: President Rodrigo Duterte holds the Philippine flag which was his rallying symbol while campaigning in the last election during the oath-taking ceremony of the newly-elected officers of the Malacañang Press Corps, Malacañang Cameramen Association, and Presidential Photojournalists Association on Monday (September 26, 2016) in Malacanang. (Photo by Rey Baniquet/PPD/PNA)
MANILA (PNA) – Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) on Tuesday expressed contentment with the results of the government’s intensified war on drugs in the first 100 days of President Rodrigo Duterte.
”Of course, we know that foremost of the President’s promises was the very important issue on drugs and crimes. And on that aspect, we are very happy that he delivered,” PCCI President George Barcelon.
Barcelon, along with former PCCI president and now Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECoP) President Donald Dee, talked about the business sector’s impression on President Duterte’s 100 days in office.
In just three months, the Duterte administration’s fight against illegal drugs reportedly left 3,441 drug dealers and users dead, including 1,347 in legitimate police operations, and 22,387 drug personalities arrested in 23,474 operations under “Oplan Double Barrel” since July 1.
Under the “Oplan Tokhang”, the police have visited a total of 1,601,691 houses of drug suspects, prompting 52,812 pushers and 679,303 users to surrender themselves to the authorities nationwide.
The bloody war against illegal drugs have also resulted in the killing of 13 policemen and injuring of 38 others while from the military side, three soldiers were killed and eight were injured.
Barcelon said the President’s request for six-month extension to address the drug problem was “reasonable because of the gravity of the issue.”
”Many people did not realize how rampant this drug issue is and, of course, we know very well with drugs, normally it leads to crime,” he told the media.
He said that even in the United States, which criticized the alleged extra judicial killings of drug suspects in the Philippines, has drug-related death of about 30,000 to 35,000 each year.
”But what I’m saying is that it’s a serious problem for any society whether developed countries or countries like us,” Barcelon said.
Barcelon and Dee said the peace and order was one the main considerations by any investor, particularly foreign businessmen, before putting capital in any country.
”Don’t think that peace and order is not an issue, it’s a very, very big issue,” Dee said.
”This (drug) is the most difficult goal that President set for himself. Those are his visions that at the end of six year, he is going to leave this country that free, that has citizens with dignity, with jobs that’s happy and that kind goal cannot be achieved if we have these drug menace, petty crimes and people who do not love and respect our country,” the ECOP official added.
Barcelon acknowledged that some people are concerned with some of the statements of President Duterte “but what is more important is for the President who loves his country and his people.
”We firmly believe that he would do the right thing. We just have to give him time,” Barcelon said.
”The various government agencies helping our country to move forward and for more changes is something that we, as private citizens, must also involve ourselves to make it happen. I think it’s a partnership, not just rely too much on the government but we as private citizens, as businessmen, we have to do our part also,” he added.
Dee believed that the investors will come in if the country’s economy is competitive friendly to investors.
”It is not how you talk. It’s how you look,” Dee said in downplaying the effect of the President’s recent controversial statements against the US, United Nations and European Union.
Dee said businessmen appreciate President Duterte for being transparent in dealing with the problems of the country.
”But at least why are we so supportive? Because what you see is what you get. You know, what we appreciate most is that, he is on the ground, he is doing things. That is important to us,” he said.