President’s threat draws mix reactions

CEBU, Philippines - President Rodrigo Duterte's statement that he would suspend mayors who do not address the illegal drug problem in their respective areas drew mix reactions from Cebu local officials.

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña said all should be included, not just mayors.

"Sure. But why mayors only? Suspended Kap (Felicisimo) Rupinta admitted that Dino (Presidential Assistant for Visayas Michael Dino) asked who he wants to be replaced with. Dino's engaging in influence peddling with protectors is being tolerated it seems," the mayor told The FREEMAN, in a text message.

Talisay City Mayor Eduardo Gullas, on the other hand, said that he will support Duterte's announcement that mayors will be suspended if they were not able to curb the proliferation of illegal drugs in their respective city or municipality.

 He said doing so is part of the president's "follow up" on the war against drugs which has been the most important program of the Duterte administration.

He was confident he would not be a candidate for suspension, saying he has been in constant contact with the city's chief of police.

Talisay City police have been recognized by the Police Regional Office-7 as having the most number of operations against illegal drugs from January to April this year.

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza, on the other hand, acknowledged that what the president said was a challenge for them to really work and exert effort in the war against illegal drugs.

"Para nako, okay ra man na at least ma-challenge pud ang uban mayors to do their move and initiative on the fight against illegal drugs," she said, in a statement.

Radaza said it is best to support and heed the president for a better and a peaceful country.

"Okay ra gyud since rampant man gyud kaayo karon ang problem sa illegal drugs," she said.

The mayor said that around 2,000 alleged drug personalities in Lapu-Lapu City have surrendered and had themselves profiled by the police.

She said the city government took the initiative to help the surrenderers by hiring them as workers in the city's Material Recovery Facility as masons, plumbers, and doing other construction works, among others.

She also had them join spiritual gatherings by the clergy and the pastors of different churches.

Radaza said the city police have been very active in heeding the president's call, having conducted 500 buy bust operations so far.

In Cebu City, Councilor David Tumulak, deputy mayor on police matters, said Duterte should include all other elected officials since it is not only the mayor who is responsible for the proliferation of illegal drugs in the city.

Tumulak said elected barangay officials should also be helping in addressing the illegal drug trade, including private stakeholders and other law enforcement agencies.

 Councilor Jose Daluz III, on the other hand, said he supports the move of the president as it would pressure the mayors to work hard in curbing the problem. He, however, said the due process should be observed in suspending the mayors.

Councilor Sisinio Andales, for his part, said the president cannot just suspend the mayor for its failure to address the problem.

A lawyer by profession, Andales said there must be due process of law, stressing that the Bureau of Customs should also help in detecting entry of illegal drugs.

Meanwhile, Councilor Nendell Hanz Abella expressed support for the move, but it should be proven first that the mayors have not really done anything.

Cebu City Association of Barangay Councils President Phillip Zafra likewise said the president should issue guidelines as to what merits the suspension of the mayors.

Zafra, who is not allied with the mayor, said Osmeña has not been remiss in giving warnings to barangay officials to double their efforts in the fight against illegal drugs. —  Jean Marvette A. Demecillo, Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon, Iris Mariani B. Algabre (FREEMAN)