Duterte gives alleged 'narco mayor' 24 hours to surrender

MANILA, Philippines — Surrender or get shot.

 

Fulfilling his promise to run after local executives with alleged links to illegal drugs, President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday gave a town mayor and his son 24 hours to surrender or he would issue a “shoot on sight” order against them.

 

Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said Duterte had demanded the surrender of Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. and his son Kerwin on the grounds of drug trafficking and coddling.

 

“Otherwise, an order of ‘shoot on sight’ will be given if they resist and endanger the lives of arresting police officers,” Abella said.

 

Espinosa is the first local executive linked to the narcotics trade under the Duterte administration.

 

Duterte demanded Espinosa’s surrender three days after two of the mayor’s security aides and three companions were caught with illegal drugs in an operation in Barangay Benolho in Albuera town. More than 200 grams of shabu, two pistols and live ammunition were recovered from the suspects.

 

Duterte has vowed to reveal the names of generals and local executives who are involved in illegal drugs as part of his relentless campaign against narcotics and crime.

 

RELATED: Duterte to name ‘narco-mayors’ soon

 

Last month, the president said he has a matrix of local officials and policemen who are benefiting from the illegal drugs trade. Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar previously claimed that the matrix involved several mayors and is enough to make one vomit.  

 

Duterte’s shame campaign against public officials with alleged ties to narcotics started last July 5 when he accused five retired and active police officers of being drug coddlers.

 

RELATED: Duterte names 5 PNP generals allegedly involved in illegal drugs

 

Accused of protecting drug rings were retired Philippine National Police Deputy Director General Marcelo Garbo, Jr., retired police general and newly elected Daanbantayan, Cebu Mayor Vicente Loot, former National Capital Region Police Office head Chief Superintendent Joel Pagdilao, former Quezon City Police District director Chief Superintendent Edgardo Tinio, and Western Visayas regional director Chief Superintendent Bernardo Diaz.

 

The five have denied any involvement with illegal drugs and have vowed to clear their names during investigations.

 

Last May, Duterte told lawmakers that at least 35 local officials are protecting or condoning the sale of illegal drugs in their respective areas.