Duterte: Mayors who cannot curb drug trade will be suspended

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday threatened to suspend mayors who cannot curb narcotics within their jurisdiction and to probe the Commission on Human Rights for allegedly conspiring with drug offenders.

 

Duterte said mayors who cannot suppress illicit drugs in their towns or cities do not deserve to have control over the local police.

 

“As mayors, you have the authority over the police. If you cannot control drugs in your city, I will just suspend you. Just take a vacation,” the president said during the 19th anniversary of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption, a group that has had members appointed to the Duterte administration.

 

Duterte also warned local executives in Mindanao that they would lose their police powers if they fail to address the drug problem in their areas.

 

The National Police Commission has stripped seven governors and 132 mayors in Mindanao of police power for allegedly abusing their authority and conniving with criminals.

 

The commission said the local executives also failed to implement measures to suppress terrorism and to prevent lawless violence.

 

NAPOLCOM made the decision weeks after the Islamic State-inspired Maute terrorists laid siege in Marawi City, which prompted Duterte to declare martial law in Mindanao.

 

Some of the local chief executives have objected to the order.

 

“Perhaps we need to cite in that appeal the accomplishments of the Maguindanao peace and order council in addressing domestic peace and security issues, including the settlement of more than 30 clan wars in recent years and the prevention of the expansion in far-flung areas of misguided militants groups,” Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu said in July.

 

“They do not have police power. I will return it to them after the conflict. But if I return it and you cannot [curb] drugs in your city, I will strip you of your power. I might just outright suspend you,” Duterte said Wednesday.

 

“Wala naman kayong silbi (You are worthless). I will not return the police power to you. Wala akong pakialam sa inyo (I don’t care about you),” he added.

 

Duterte said he has an updated list of officials with links to drug syndicates. He said the list, which was updated as of August 8, contains the names of members of the judiciary.

 

“With God's help…death certificate na yan balang araw (They will get death certificates in the future),” Duterte said.

 

Three mayors on Duterte's previous 'narco-list' have been killed in police operations so far.

The president also issued a threat to the Commission on Human Rights, which has been critical of his brutal crackdown on illegal drugs.

 

“One of these days, kayong human rights ang imbestigahan ko  (I will investigate you). That’s true. (For) conspiracy,” he said.

 

“If they are obstructing justice, shoot them.”

 

The president did not substantiate how the CHR could be in conspiracy with drug syndicates but has, in the past, helped along the narrative that human rights advocates condone crime and protect criminals.

 

Duterte said he is angry with the CHR for criticizing his war on drugs without considering the impact of narcotics on the lives of innocent people.

 

“Galit ako sa inyo. Di niyo tinitimpla ang pinapasukan niyo (I am angry with you. You do not weigh the issues you are interfering with),” he said.

 

“When a one-year old child was violated, where is human rights?”

 

Duterte reiterated that the campaign against illegal drugs cannot be finished in one term. He is confident though that his critics would not fare better if they were in his shoes.

 

“Ako nga na nag uutos ng patayan, di ko kaya, kayo pa? Wag na tayo magdrama dito (If I who ordered the killings cannot do it, how much more, you? Let’s not be melodramatic). You'll be far worse than what we have now,” the president said.