President Tommy Remengesau Jr. is seeking the assistance of the Philippine government to help fight illegal drugs and curb entry of the substance into the country.

Remengesau told reporters that the issue of counternarcotics was one of the issues discussed with his meeting with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte in Davao City last week.

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He said Duterte, known for his hard-line drug policy, agreed to help Palau in combating illegal drugs here.

He said he will immediately task Vice President and Minister of Justice Raynold Oilouch to move forward dialogues with the pertinent Philippine officials on a planned cooperation to see to it that drugs from the Philippines are not smuggled into Palau.

We all know that much of the drugs that are confiscated at the airport or points of entry comes from the Philippines, so we are going to start the inflow into the country, we have to deal with the borders,” Remengesau said.

He said cooperation between the Philippines and Palau would go a long way in Palau’s war against drugs.

In 2013, President Remengesau has directed an immediate crackdown on drugs and their dealers.

Remengesau said the continuing presence of such illegal drugs and the increase of violent crimes and gambling associated with trafficking has raised public concern for safety.

Earlier, the Narcotics Enforcement Agency (NEA) said that it has seized over 700 grams or over $700,000 worth of methampetamine or “ice” in 2017.

The street value of drugs in Palau ranges from $800 to $1,200 per gram and the drug enforcement believed that there are more drugs on the streets of Palau which they have not seized yet.

He also said mailing the drugs and using body carriers are the most popular way of distributing the drugs in Palau.

He also said that illegal drugs are being smuggled into Palau via Philippines and Guam.

Oilouch said that Philippines could also help Palau in training narcotics officials.

He said Palau could gain expertise from the Philippines in dealing with the drug issue here.

Remengesau and Duterte met last week to improve cooperation in several issues of mutual interests.

The two leaders committed to enhance and expand cooperation in education, maritime security, agriculture and aquaculture, counternarcotics, connectivity, medical tourism and trade and investments.

The two leaders also looked forward to an exchange of formal visits. (Bernadette H. Carreon) [/restrict]