Three mayors from Mindanao being linked to the illegal drugs trade surrendered yesterday afternoon to Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald M. dela Rosa in Camp Crame, Quezon City.
Two of them turned themselves in and vowed to help the administration of President Duterte in the all out war against illegal drugs.
In a press briefing, Dela Rosa identified the two as Maguing, Lanao del Sur Mayor Mamaulan Abinal Mulok and former Marantao, Lanao del Sur Mayor Mohammad Ali Abu Abinal.
The third was incumbent Mayor Datu Rasul Sangki of Ampatuan, Maguindanao. He went straight to the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Camp Crame to give a statement.
Dela Rosa said the two peacefully surrendered to him after they heard that they are included in Duterte’s list of local chief executives involved in illegal drugs.
“They voluntarily surrendered to me personally because they heard, they received information that they are in the watch list of the President…they are included in the 27 mayors (LGUs) linked to the drug trade,” Dela Rosa said.
Dela Rosa said the two officials were previously involved in illegal drugs from 2000 to 2002, but had stopped since then.
“According to them, right now they are no longer involved but before they have been involved (in illegal drugs). They promised to me that they will spearhead the anti-drug campaign. They will be the ones to lead the war against illegal drugs in their respective municipalities,” Dela Rosa said.
The two were immediately turned over to the director of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group so that they can give their statements.
“I will be turning them over to the director of the CIDG to get their statements and whatever we will extract from them for future reference. They voluntarily surrendered so we will subject them to some sort of custodial investigation,” Dela Rosa said.
Dela Rosa said according to the two, their previous involvement in illegal drugs is not in their respective areas but in other parts of the country such as in Quiapo, Manila. (Francis T. Wakefield)
