PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, August 21, directed the mayors to fully enforce the law, improve governance and combat illegal drugs in their respective areas of jurisdiction.
Just as he assured the police of support, Duterte also told mayors that he will "support and defend" them in case they find themselves in a legal bind as they carry out their functions, especially with regards to the government's war on drugs.
Speaking before members of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines from the Visayas in Cebu City, Duterte told mayors to raise by a notch or two the bar in governance.
The President said the local officials could also seek the assistance of Local Government officer-in-charge Eduardo Año in their efforts to end the drug proliferation, especially in the areas with high crime rate.
"Mag-prangkahan tayo (Let's be frank with each other). To the mayor[s], I expect you to go one bar, two bars higher in governance. If there is a drug problem which you cannot solve, you go to Secretary Año , tell him the problem and he will solve it for you. Iyan lang (That's it)," Duterte said.
"Sabihin mo sa akin, sabihin mo may anak diyan, may nakatira diyan, known addict," he added.
(Just tell me. Tell me if there's a child in that house who is known addict.)
Duterte's directive came amid the government's "relentless and chilling" campaign against illicit drugs trade.
He again vented his frustrations that despite the intensified drug war, prevalence of illegal drugs remains high in some areas, including Talisay City, Cebu which he claimed would "fall gradually" because of rampant narcotics trade.
"P***** i** iyang Talisay na iyan. Mahurot mo diha hinay-hinay," he said.
(Son of a b**** that Talisay, You will all fall, gradually.)
"I'm nearing my end. It's only a few years from now. But do not do it during my time. Huwag sa panahon ko. P***** i** ninyo, mamatay talaga," the President added.
(I'm nearing my end. It's only a few years from now. But do not do it during my time. Not during my time. Son of a b****, you will really die.)
Duterte nevertheless pledged that mayors, who will have an "outstanding" performance in stamping out illegal drugs in accordance with the rule of law, would receive reward from him.
"Kami dito, who are tasked to do it, we'll do it in accordance with the Constitution. Iyan ang ma-assure ko sa inyo. Pero kung outstanding ka sa inyong peace and order, I will go to you. Wala man akong pera, bigyan kita ng magandang projects, I will go to the stage and I will campaign for you. Promise, basta galingan mo lang," he said.
(We, who are tasked to do it, will do it in accordance with the Constitution. That's what I can assure you. But if you are outstanding in your peace and order, I will go to you. I may have no enough money but I will give you good projects, I will go to stage and I will campaign for you. Promise. Just make sure that you do your job well.) (SunStar Philippines)