By Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos
President Duterte on Thursday urged newly elected barangay captains to help the government in the campaign against illegal drugs and crime.
Duterte, in a speech at the oath-taking of 4,000 newly elected barangay captains in Region 4-A or the Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon area in Sta. Rosa City, Laguna, said he will suspend or dismiss barangay captains outright for neglect of duty if they fail to stem illegal drugs and criminality in their areas.
“‘Pag ang barangay ninyo pala-ging lumalabas sa intelligence community na maraming transaksyon na droga ibig sabihin hindi kayo gumagalaw,” Duterte said. “I will give you a chance. Ang pinaka is gross neglect of duty and I can either suspend you or dismiss you outright,” he added.
Duterte hopes that the barangay captains will not hold it against him as he said he is only doing his job.
“Gagawin ko talaga ‘yan. Pero kaibigan tayo. Pero gagawin ko ‘yan hindi dahil kaibigan tayo, dahil may trabaho ako,” he said.
