MANILA - Reacting to President Rodrigo Duterte's state visit to China, a party-list representative on Thursday lamented the government's lack of strong statement against China for supplying drugs in the Philippines.

"The President should be reminded that China is mostly the source of all these illegal drugs, and that countless ordinary Filipinos fell victim to this drug menace and are being killed daily," Magdalo Party-list Rep. Gary Alejano said in a statement.

"It is quite startling that the President has no strong statements against China yet he is quick to chastise the US, the EU, and the UN when they interfere with his plans," he added.

Alejano said the President should demand that China help curb the supply of drugs in the country.

"It is quite evident during the recent committee hearing of the House Committee on Justice, and the pronouncements made by the [Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency] and [Dangerous Drugs Board] during their budget deliberation, that China and North Korea are the source of drugs being traded here in the Philippines," he explained.

"Yet, we are thankful with China's provision of a drug rehabilitation facility when they are the main contributor to our drug problem. The President should demand that China, on their part, initiate actions to help curb the supply of drugs exported in the Philippines."

Furthermore, the ex-military criticized the use of military camps and facilities as location for the construction of rehabilitation facilities.

"I am not comfortable with the construction of drug rehab facilities inside our military camps as it compromises the security of these camps," Alejano said.

The lawmaker added that it is not the function of the Armed Forces to look after drug peddlers and users.

"I prefer using these camps for productive ventures, the revenues generated therein may be used by the government to pay for the arrears of our pensioners."