President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena offer a toast to each other during the State Banquet at the Malacañan Palace on January 16, 2019. TOTO LOZANO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

President Rodrigo Duterte’s strong will is an exception among world leaders who mostly opted not to aggressively fight the scourge of illegal drugs, fearing that this might put their lives at risk, Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena said yesterday.

He said during a visit to the Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City that the world should recognize and respect the hard work of the President in implementing the anti-narcotics campaign.

Sirisena praised Mr. Duterte’s firm stance against the drugs menace as he said different countries suffer from the rampant illegal drugs problem because many politicians benefit from the trade as a lucrative economic support system.

“The world must respect the Philippine’s difficult task of dealing with illegal drugs,” Sirisena said.

Sirisena also invited officials of the agencies involved in the Duterte administration’s anti-illegal drugs drive to help Sri Lanka in its own efforts against the social blight.

“I understand that all of you here carry out your duties,” Sirisena told policemen in his speech.

“In Sri Lanka, too, many police officers have lost their lives as a result of action by drug traffickers and we have responded to them accordingly,” he added.

“I would like to invite some experts from your side to visit Sri Lanka when possible. My government will make all the necessary arrangements,” Sirisena said.

He earlier had expressed interest in implementing a program similar to the Tokhang program in which drug dependents and traffickers are persuaded by the police to change their ways.

“The experiences you have gained and knowledge that you can share with Sri Lanka will be highly instrumental in our fight against drugs,” he added.

PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde also confirmed Sirisena’s interest to adopt the government’s war on drugs.

“He offered concerned agencies and offices involved to share their knowledge in the campaign against drugs,” he said.

“He admires the President’s campaign against illegal drugs and his firm leadership,” he added.

Sirisena was briefed on the anti-drugs campaign by Dangerous Drugs Board Chairman Catalino Cuy. Sirisena was also shown an exhibit on achievements and statistics on Mr. Duterte’s signature crusade.

Albayalde reiterated that 98 percent of its anti-illegal drug operations were found compliant with human rights standards.

He said they are constantly coordinating with the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) regarding the campaign.

“We’ve been sharing everything already to CHR. I don’t know what else do they really want.

We are regularly submitting reports to the CHR. We have our Human Rights Office here that is in constant coordination with CHR,” Albayalde told reporters at a press briefing on the sidelines of Sirisena’s visit to Camp Crame.

CHR Chairman Chito Gascon on Friday called on the PNP to release its records to prove that human rights standards are being observed in the anti-drug operations.

Albayalde urged officials of the state human rights body to verify with the PNP’s Internal Affairs Service (IAS) if they are in doubt.

“If they do not believe the 98-percent compliance, they should ask the IAS. The IAS conducts the motu propio investigation on police operations, especially when there are those who are killed. We based it from the IAS data,” the PNP chief noted.

He, meanwhile, clarified that the IAS is an independent body even if it is under the PNP.

Albayalde said the PNP also filed cases of human rights violation against 438 PNP personnel which he described as proof that the institution does not tolerate such acts within its ranks.

Gift from Manila Sri Lanka President Maithriprala Sirisena (center) gets a briefing from a Philippine National Police official on effective measures to combat drugs. ANALY LABOR Fruitful visit

Albayalde described Sirisena’s visit to Camp Crame as fruitful and productive.

The Sri Lankan leader was briefed on the country’s anti-illegal drugs campaign during his visit to the PNP headquarters.

“He saw our campaign on supply reduction and demand reduction. He saw the whole government approach against illegal drugs. He was impressed with President Rodrigo Duterte even during his visit in Malacañang,” the PNP chief said.