PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, April 2, vehemently warned Malabon Mayor Antonin Oreta III that there is only a month for the local chief executive to address the proliferation of illegal drugs in the city.
In a speech delivered in Malabon City, Duterte cautioned possible arrest of Oreta, in case the latter fails to address the rampant narcotics trade within his jurisdiction.
"Ganito ang Malabon ngayon, it's your choice. Pinili ninyo eh. Droga, pinili ninyo. Diyan, sabihin ko, mayor, linisin mo ang Malabon mo. Bigyan kita ng isang buwan," he said during the campaign sortie of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) campaign rally.
(The problem in Malabon now is it's your choice. You chose it. Drugs, you chose it. So I'll tell the Mayor, clean up Malabon. I'll give you one month.)
"Pag-hindi, sabihin ko kay Ricky (Malabon Representative Federico Sandoval), sorry na lang ha. Ipa-huli ko mayor ninyo. Itapon na lang sa Manila Bay (If you fail, I'll tell Ricky, sorry but I'll have your mayor arrested. Throw him at the Manila Bay)," the President added.
Oreta is eyeing a re-election for his final term as mayor in the May 13, 2019 elections under the ticket of former ruling Liberal Party. He is running against Sandoval's wife, Jeannie.
Meantime, the Sandoval couple is running under the PDP-Laban.
Duterte's stern warning came, as he lamented that some mayors and congressmen in Luzon are involved in illegal drugs.
The President, nevertheless, reiterated his pledge to combat illegal drugs during his three remaining years in office.
"Dito sa Luzon ang tama ng droga dahil pera nga. Pumapasok na lahat pati 'yung congressman, 'yung mayor (Luzon is infested with illegal drugs because of money. Many, including congressmen and mayors, are involved in it)," he said.
"May three years ako. Nangako ako, uubusin ko kayo. Para na lang sa bayan ko. Hindi na bale akong makulong, mamatay, bitayin. Okay sa akin. You know, the presidency is a gift from God," the Chief Executive added.
(I still have three years. I promise to finish you off for my country. I don't care about getting jailed, killed, and hanged. That's fine with me. You know, the presidency is a gift from God.) (SunStar Philippines)