Ben Cardin: “I thank my colleague for his thoughtful response. I, too, am greatly concerned that, unless we are able to see a more…”

“I thank my colleague for his thoughtful response. I, too, am greatly concerned that, unless we are able to see a more constructive approach on these issues from the government of President Duterte--an approach that is just as serious about combatting the scourge of narcotics, but approaches the issue in a legal framework-- that we may need to consider taking these steps. This is an important relationship. I have many Filipino-American citizens in Maryland, and I care deeply about strengthening the US-Philippines Alliance, especially given the challenges that the regional order faces from a rising China, but this issue is critical as well.”