RP, U.S. close to extradition pact

RP, U.S. close to extradition pact

MANILA (Reuter): The Philippines and the United States are close to an agreement on an extradition treaty and a pact to cooperate against crime, the Philippine justice minister said yesterday.

Justice Secretary Franklin Drilon said in a report that negotiators had finished work on texts for the two agreements, which would be signed soon.

"We anticipate simultaneous approval and ratification of the extradition and mutual legal assistance treaties," he said.

The agreements will be of particular value in the fight against drugs, Drilon said.