186 execs stripped of police power under Duterte rule

A TOTAL of 186 local government officials were stripped of power over the police in their area since President Rodrigo Duterte took office on July 2016, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) said Friday, July 13.

DILG officer-in-charge Eduardo Año said the local executives include eight governors and 178 city or municipal mayors who were stripped of police powers due to their alleged involvement in illegal drugs, failure to stop acts of terrorism, or for having provided various forms of support to terrorist groups.

Among these executives was slain Tanauan City, Batangas Mayor Antonio Halili who earlier denied involvement in illegal drugs.

Halili was gunned down during a flag raising ceremony at the city hall on July 2.

Año said 156 local officials were also suspended and dismissed over administrative cases such as grave misconduct, serious dishonesty, neglect of duty, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, abuse of authority and irregularities.

“In Boracay alone, 17 local officials were charged with administrative and/or criminal cases by the DILG based on the findings of the investigating team,” Año said.

He said the report they received from the public and concerned residents were useful in the conduct of investigation and filing cases against local officials alleged to be abusive or not performing their job in accordance with their mandate.

Año said through the people’s cooperation, the DILG was also able to serve 237 Ombudsman decisions, investigate 57 complaints against local officials and issue and implement eight show-cause orders against illegal mining operations particularly in the Caraga region. (SunStar Philippines)