DAVAO CITY – No mayors or local officials from the country’s capital, Metro Manila, were in the drug list of President Duterte who said they are “contented” for being just a mayor and will not mess up with illegal drugs.
Duterte, in his visit at the wake of the four slain soldiers at the Naval Station Felix Apolinario (NSFA) in Panacan early Sunday, said that he will not insist if there are no mayor or high ranking government officials linked to narco-politics.
“Kontento na sila sa buhay nila. Bakit ko pipilitin kung wala. Alanang pilitin ko si (former Preisident and Manila Mayor Joseph Ejercito) Estrada, baka suntukin ako nyan. Wala, ibig sabihin kontento na sila sa buhay nila. Matatanda na sila. They would not mess up with drugs,” he said.
Duterte said that the local chief executives will not deal with illegal drugs as they know how dangerous it would be.
The president named about 160 judges, incumbent and former mayors, vice mayors, active and retired police officials last Sunday.
He said government officials who are into illegal drugs have allowed the proliferation of illegal drugs in the country.
“I said and address to everybody, ’yung mga hindi pa na-validate – kayong mga mayors and governors – you end up not just your position maybe you lose your punch. That’s the problem,” he said.
Duterte has promised to address the country’s drug menace in the first three to six months of his administration. (Antonio Colina)
