| Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar Thursday said that the administration’s campaign against illegal drugs is now gaining ground as more people attest to safer streets in Metro Manila.
“Marami tayong mga kaibigan na nagtratrabaho sa gabi. Meron din tayong mga kasama sa opisina na sila mismo nagkwekwento sa’tin na hindi na sila nangangamba ngayon pag umuuwi sila late at night. It’s safer at kahit sino naman sa inyo ay alam nyo na nagbago na talaga ang klima ng ating bayan,” Andanar said.
Also during the briefing, Andanar expressed optimism that the Duterte administration’s commitment in the anti-illegal drugs campaign and criminality will enhance the country’s image to attract more foreign investments and will usher growth in its economy.
According to Andanar, the efforts of this administration to address the country’s peace and order problem is a must for investors to invest more in the country. “We thank the Filipino for having better appreciation of the positive changes now happening under this administration,” he said.
When asked to comment about the perceived brewing strain with the European Union (EU) in relation to Duterte’s expletive-laden response on the EU’s reported resolution criticizing the government’s ongoing anti-illegal drug campaign, he said, “’Yung konteksto ng ating giyera kontra iligal na droga sa Pilipinas ay dapat maintindihan ng ating mga kaibigan sa European Union.”
Andanar stressed that the country’s relationship with the EU members remains strong in the midst of this issue. He assured that this will not affect investments coming from the Europeans to the Philippines.
“Hindi naman siguro dahil wala naman din tayong mga kontrata na nilalabag or mga kinakansela sa European Union. Tuluy-tuloy naman ang negosyo, ang kalakalan between our country and the European continent,” he said.
However, he said that while Duterte administration is determined to forge stronger ties with other nations and international organizations, the country maintains its independent foreign policy and other nations should respect that.
“We have an independent foreign policy at tayo po ay isang soberenya na dapat ho nirerespeto ng ibang soberenya o ibang organization or regional organization,” he said.
In another development, Andanar clarified that the memorandum issued by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea to all Cabinet members and agencies regarding the release of official statements is aimed primarily to facilitate communication line and harness any palace message to avoid confusion or disinformation to the public. PND |
