Philippines convenient transit point for illegal drugs – US exec

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines is a convenient transit point for shipment of illegal drugs because of its geography, according to a United States official.

“My observation is that the Philippines is to a certain extent a victim of geography… countries that produce illicit drug… as they seek to move their product to markets in north America or farther up to northeast Asia, the Philippines is a convenient transit location for them,” said State Assistant Secretary William Brownfield, head of the US Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, during a recent briefing at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

Brownfield said some source countries of illegal drugs, including heroin, are just across the West Philippine Sea.

The US official had a meeting with Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ricardo Marquez and other officials on maritime law enforcement efforts.

Brownfield said the cooperation between the Philippines and the US in the fight against illegal drugs is gaining ground.

He cited the fact that less than four percent of heroin entering the US is supplied by Asia, despite nearly 90 percent of illegal drug supply in the world coming from Asia, particularly Afghanistan and Myanmar.

“This is one example of success. Logic would suggest that if we have not been successful in our drug cooperation with the Philippines, far closer to 90 percent of the heroin consumed in the US, reflecting the world supply, would come in some way from Asia,” Brownfield said.