Illustration: Peter C. Espina/GT

Tough-talking Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's anti-drug campaign is the most determined and largest in the history of the Philippines. However, the fight against the country's ubiquitous drug use has come at a huge cost: more than 3,800 alleged traffickers have been killed, either by law enforcement or vigilante groups. The confrontations, most of which were carried out by armed groups not the police, are being called "extrajudicial killings" by the international community. The crackdown has also brought accusations against Duterte's administration for the bloodshed and erosion of the rule of law.

In addition to the human rights accusations, the country's trade interactions and economic development may also be at risk. International investment into the country is facing several obstacles. Investors have rushed to pull money out of Philippine stock and capital markets, neglecting the Philippines' fast growing development. For China, the situation is remarkably worrisome. Several Chinese citizens have been killed during the anti-drug campaign. Moreover, China has enormous economic stakes in the Philippines. In 2015, it was the second largest trading partner, the largest source of imports and the third largest export market of the Philippines. 

The Philippines' trade benefits could also be in danger if it fails to respond to the human rights accusations. So far most worries of human rights violations have come from the EU, the US and the UN. Furthermore, in recent years, the Philippines and the EU have set up schemes allowing for many products from the Philippines to enter into the EU tax-free. As a condition, however, the Philippines was required to improve its protection of domestic human rights. Under Article 6 of the EU-PH Partnership Framework Agreement, there is an obligation "to cooperate in the promotion and effective protection of all human rights." Now the EU may conduct a review based upon this agreement.

So far, any actual drawbacks to trade from other countries remain speculative. However, the country needs to build political certainty and public safety for its long term economic and trade development.

This anti-drug war has opened a window for China and the Philippines to embrace cooperation opportunities. This week President Duterte was in Beijing for a four-day state visit which ended Friday. The trip resulted in the signing of a number of deals that amounted to $13.5 billion.

Duterte has said, "only China can help us." At the same time, China fully supports Duterte's administration in its fight against drug crimes, as expressed by Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines, Zhao Jianhua. Moreover, there have been several successful cooperative crackdowns on heroin traffickers by police forces from the two countries since 2004. The initial success and open-mindedness of the two states indicates a possibility for more future opportunities in anti-drug cooperation.

As drug related crimes never stay within the boundaries of one country, tackling the Philippines' problem will require shared responsibility worldwide. International drug trade generates violence, breeds corruption, inspires fear and undermines legitimate trade, commerce and investment. Furthermore, the aim of the cooperation is not confined only to drug crimes. An updated anti-drug mechanism should be established to restore law and order. This goal not only requires the restoration and development of the rule of law and order, but also addressing the international human rights accusation against the Philippines. For both governments, maintenance of social order provides the stable investment environment that is necessary for strengthening bilateral trade.

China is capable of offering technical experience and aid with aerial photographs and telecommunications equipment, helicopters and technical assistants. The cooperative mechanism will need to respond to the new realities of the war on drugs. A cooperative anti-drug mechanism could be especially effective in tracking drug traffickers through extensive national and international networks. This would ultimately put China and the Philippines in a central role in combating drug crimes in Asia.

Combined anti-drug efforts could continue to build trust and confidence between the two countries. This will be a new chapter in cooperation between China and the Philippines as both sides work together on the war on drugs.

The author is associate professor at the Law School of Renmin University of China (RUC) and a research fellow at the RUC's International Monetary Institute. bizopinion@globaltimes.com.cn