President Duterte warned Malabon City Mayor Antolin “Lenlen” Oreta III that he will have him arrested if he fails to rid his city of illegal drugs within a month.
Duterte made the statement during the proclamation rally of PDP-Laban in Malabon City Tuesday night.
In his speech, Duterte said Oreta, the incumbent city mayor, will face arrest if he fails to address Malabon’s drug problem within 30 days.
“Mayor, linisin mo ang Malabon mo. Bigyan kita ng isang buwan,” he said.
“‘Pag hindi, sabihin ko kay Ricky, ‘sorry na lang ha. Ipahuli ko ‘yung mayor ninyo. Itapon ko ‘yan sa Manila Bay,” he added.
Ricky Sandoval is running for congressman of the lone district of Malabon while his wife, Vice Mayor Jeannie Sandoval, is running for city mayor, both under the President’s party. Duterte endorsed Jeannie Sandoval’s candidacy the same night.
Oreta, on the other hand, belongs to the opposition Liberal Party and is seeking to be reelected for a third and final term in the May 2019 midterm polls.
According to Duterte, the current situation of Malabon is actually the choice of the mayor who is also elected by the people.
“Ginusto ninyo ‘yan eh. I mean it’s your choice. Ganito ang Malabon ngayon, it’s your choice. Pinili ninyo eh. Droga, pinili ninyo,” he said.
In his speech, the President said Malabon continues to be plagued by two big problems: corruption and lack of peace and order. If not addressed, he said the city will never see progress.
Meanwhile, the President also said that he will also order the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to rid Malabon of armed goons.
“I am exalting everybody na huwag kayong magkamali diyan maggamit ng mga goons, mga ganon kasi papadalhan ko kayo dito ng isang batalyon na army, totoo lang,” he said.
Duterte then reminded the police and the military to stay neutral, adding that he will not allow them to be used by anyone.
“I will not allow the police or the military to be used by anybody eh kapartido ko man o kalaban sa politika,” he added. (Argyll Geducos)