“License to Kill”

Nations in 2017 and stated Japan’s willingness “to pursue deeper defense cooperation
with the Philippines through exchanges and defense equipment transfer.” 345
Japan’s failure to publicly criticize the drug campaign’s abuses, and to use its leverage to
end them, present a failure by Japan to advance a human rights-focused agenda in its
relationship with the Philippines.
China
President Duterte has responded to international criticism of his “drug war” and cuts in US
police assistance and weapons sales by repeatedly announcing his intention to end the
decades-long partnership with the US in favor of a closer relationship with China. 346
Undoubtedly seeing a diplomatic opening, China quickly and publicly supported Duterte’s
“war on drugs,” endorsing it without any reservations to the oft-repeated vows to kill
thousands of drug dealers and users. On July 19, the Chinese Embassy in Manila issued a
statement offering its unconditional support:
The Chinese government has been firm and severe in drug control and in
punishing all drug criminals in accordance with laws regardless of their
nationalities. The Chinese government has been promoting and has carried
out effective international cooperation with many countries. China fully
understands that the Philippine government under the leadership of H.E.
President Rodrigo Duterte has taken it as a top priority in cracking down drugrelated
crime. China has expressed explicitly to the new administration
China’s willingness for effective cooperation in this regard, and would like to
work out a specific plan of action with the Philippine side. 347
345 Patricia Lourdes Viray, “Japan willing to fight piracy, terrorism with Philippines,” philstar.com, February 15, 2017,
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/02/15/1672528/japan-willing-fight-piracy-terrorism-philippines (accessed
February 15, 2017).
346 Ben Blanchard, “Duterte aligns Philippines with China, says US has lost,” Reuters, October 20, 2016,
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-philippines-idUSKCN12K0AS.
347 “China supports Duterte's war on drugs,” ABS-CBN News, July 19, 2016, http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/07/19/16/chinasupports-dutertes-war-on-drugs.
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