Manila Mayor Joseph E. Estrada supports President Duterte’s method of revealing mayors allegedly involved in illegal drug activities.
Estrada said if it will not be done, the country will have “top government officials, even senators, who are in cahoots with drug syndicates.”
“If the President would not go after and shame those mayors and other elected public officials who are involved in illegal drugs, pretty soon we’ll have top government officials, even senators, who are in cahoots with drug syndicates,” Estrada said.
“We don’t want our country to be run by drug lords,” he added.
Estrada said that there is nothing wrong with Duterte’s shame campaign in which he names some mayors allegedly involved in illegal drug activities in the country.
Estrada said he supports the naming of fellow mayors involved in drugs, saying that Duterte is on the right track in eradicating narcopolitics in the country.
Three mayors, suspected to be involved in illegal drug activities – Maguing Mayor Mamaulan Abinal Molok and former Marantao Mayor Mohammad Ali Abinal, both from Lanao del Sur, and Ampatuan, Maguindanao Mayor Rasul Sangki – surrendered to Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald M. dela Rosa in Camp Crame, Quezon City last Friday.
They are included in Duterte’s watch list of 27 mayors linked to the illegal drugs trade, according to Dela Rosa.
Estrada also supports the President’s “shoot-on-sight” order against drug traffickers. “Hangga’t maari sana. Lumaban na sila para mapatay na sila. Para matapos na silang lahat,” Estrada said.
“I’m serious because it involves the future of young people,” Estrada added. (Betheena Kae Unite)