NEGROS Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. supported the order of President Rodrigo Duterte to deploy additional troops in the province to end lawless violence.

Marañon said they have been asking for additional military troops in Negros after some of the battalions were pulled out and deployed to Marawi.

“We used to have four battalions of the army in Negros. If they bring back or deploy additional troops, I support that move. We needed those troops here,” he said.

However, the governor is against the plan of having a “Duterte Death Squad” or a sparrow unit in the military.

“That's a wrong choice of words. Sparrow unit kills without investigation. That's too drastic and already an abuse,” he added.

In another development, Marañon also expressed opposition on the proposed “one strike for a drug-free LGUs (local government unit).”

The proposal is to immediately fire out a government employee or official who will be positive for illegal drug use.

“That's too drastic. We should allow the concerned employee to undergo rehabilitation first if he or she won't reform then that's the time to kick them out from service,” the governor said.

Recently, two capitol employees were confirmed positive for use of illegal drugs.

Marañon said that Province Human Resource and Development Office head Annabelle Palic is already making a recommendation on what to do with them. (TDE)