Romualdez: US to pay cost of Afghan refugees’ stay in PH

by JACOB LAZARO Inquirer.net

SHOULD the Philippines agree to house Afghan refugees, the U.S. government will shoulder the costs down to the last cent, according to the Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose Manuel Romualdez.

“They will pay for everything, including the food, lodging,” Romualdez said in an interview with CNN Philippines on Thursday, June 15.

Romualdez’s assurance came after several senators expressed concern about the U.S. proposal to bring Afghans who had worked with the U.S. government in fighting the Taliban and their families into the country.

“The reason why the Philippines is a logical place is because number one, we are obviously an ally of the United States. Number two, the U.S. has a fairly big embassy in the Philippines. It will be a quick processing,” Romualdez explained.

50,000 eyed

Former President Rodrigo Duterte ManilaTimes.net file photo

Duterte on narco policemen: Kill them

by CATHERINE S. VALENTE ManilaTimes.net

Duterte wants all police officers involved in the illegal drug trade shot dead instead of being put behind bars.

In his weekly program aired at SMNI, Duterte acknowledged that the police helped him restore public order and safety in Davao City, but there are several "hoodlums" and corrupt members within their organization.

"I love the police because they help me restore public order and safety in Davao City. Without the help of the police and the Army, the military, I could not have done it," Duterte said.

"But you know there are many hoodlums who have entered the police force, even the colonels now and those who became generals. There are many corrupt there," he added.

Duterte added that there are police officers who not only provide protection to drug dealers, but are into drug dealing themselves.

"The volume is one too many. How many police personnel are involved? There are many; it