by Genalyn Kabiling

As other western nations pounded on the government over its bloody drug crackdown, China is planning to build more drug rehabilitation centers in the country, a move that drew praises from President Duterte.

The President said he was “astounded” by China’s assistance to his anti-drug campaign without “any publicity” as the first Beijing-funded rehabilitation center at Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija will be completed soon.

“The 1,500[-bed] dormitory is about to be finished and they are promising for more,” the President said in his remarks before a business forum in Davao City last Friday.

Duterte expressed gratitude to China for helping the country, especially amid his administration’s present budgetary constraints on building rehabilitation facilities for drug addicts.

“Four million drug addicts is no joke. We are not a rich country. It is only China who has helped us,” he said.

“China is about to complete [the facility] sub rosa. Walang hambog, walang news, neither any publicity, it’s about to be completed. It would house 1,400 drug addicts in Fort Magsaysay,” he added.

Duterte said he has asked the military to open their camps “to allow people who would want to donate rehab facilities.”