Kapitans in drug trade

TAKING the cue from President Duterte, it is gratifying to note that the regional trial court judges in Pangasinan are now issuing more search and arrest warrants against known barangay officials involved in drugs.

Watching the GMA-TV coverage of the twin and simultaneous raids for the serving of search warrants against two barangay kapitans of Rosales town whom P/Sr. Superintendent Ronald Lee as armed and dangerous is certainly encouraging, especially for families of the victims of the drug trade in the province.

Equally commendable is the decision of Dagupan City Police Chief P/Superintendent Neil Miro to reassess the conduct of earlier drug-cleared barangays in the city is commendable. The war on drugs remains a cat-and-mouse situation.

Curiously, with the string of arrests of kapitans in the province and the constant reference of  President Duterte to reports that  40% of kapitans in the country are involved in the illegal drug trade, we have not heard of any update about the implementation of the resolution filed by the Liga ng mga Barangay in Pangasinan, requiring kapitans to take the drug test to be administered by the police.

That resolution filed by Board Member Jinky Zaplan and approved by the provincial board is obviously another classic case of lip service by politicians to a worthy cause.

True to his word

WHEN President Duterte fired Interior Secretary Mike Sueno, no one was surprised. Mainly, the former South Cotabato governor was pinned down by the fire trucks he had bought in Austria without proper bidding. Sueno was the highest government official sacked 10 months into the Duterte administration.  Explaining his action, Mr. Duterte said he was not satisfied with Sueno’s defense.  Sueno said he respected the President’s decision while insisting he is not corrupt.

Just days after this, the President also kicked out Cabinet Secretary Jun Evasco’s Undersecretary Maia Valdez for alleged anomalous rice importation from Vietnam. Others removed ahead of the duo for similar reasons were Coconut chief Billy Andal and Irrigation head Peter Lavina.  So, don’t be shocked if more of the President’s Men would get the boot, too.

Mr. Duterte is just being true to his campaign promise:  Illegal drugs and corruption must stop!

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