by Chito A. Fuentes
SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur – Mayor Rodrigo Duterte says the proliferation of illegal drugs is now the no. 1 problem of mayors all over the country.
Duterte was in San Francisco town to address the 20th Caraga Business Conference Trade Fair at the San Francisco Farmers and Youth Training Center.
With the theme “Managing Resources Towards ASEAN Partnership and Competitiveness”, the congress sought to address the challenges and opportunities of the region in relation to other players in Southeast Asia.
Among those who graced the congress were Mayor Jenny de Asis, Gov. Adolph Edward Plaza, Rep. Evelyn Plaza-Mellana and Engr. Sisinio Narisma, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry regional governor.
In his keynote address, Duterte pointed to the real and present danger that illegal drugs pose in the country.
“I have been everywhere, lahat ng mayors nakausap ko, I ask them what is the problem, they tell me ‘Rod, drugs,” he added.
Duterte noted that shabu has flooded the market because it’s easy to manufacture.
Worse, the mayor said the drug syndicates thrive because “they can corrupt everybody”.
“It can pull this country down if di ma-control,” Duterte warned.
The mayor who is credited for turning Davao City around from a violent city in the early 80s to the 9th safest city in the world warned against the spread of narco-politics.
He cited a TV report which revealed that nine out of 10 barangays in the metropolis “are contaminated with shabu”.
In spite of this, the problem does not seem to get the urgency that it deserves.
“Ako lang ang pinaka-vocal about killing those into drugs,” he pointed out.
Duterte is known for his unrelenting stance against illegal drugs and all forms of criminalities.
“Wala akong pasensya dyan (I have no patience for that),” he declared, drawing applause from the participants.
Duterte has captured the imagination of many Filipinos who now clamor for him to run for the presidency in next year’s polls.
While he continues to remain coy about his political plans, Duterte’s stock continues to rise after he vaulted into third place in the last survey of both the Social Weather Stations and Pulse Asia.
The mayor stressed that he is merely living up to his initial pledge when he was first assumed as mayor of Davao.
“I will restore order and sanity in the city,” he recalled.
That could well be what many Filipinos want him to do on a national scale. (CHITO A. FUENTES)