Sultan Kudarat province’s 11 municipal mayors reiterated on Monday their full support to President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s continuing war against illegal drugs.
The League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP)-Sultan Kudarat chapter issued the declaration after attending a meeting called by the President in Malacanang last week.
The statement of support was signed by the mayors of the municipalities of Isulan, Bagumbayan, Senator Ninoy Aquino, Lambayong, Columbio, Lutayan, President Quirino, Palimbang, Kalamansig, Lebak and Esperanza.
Lambayong Mayor Ramon Abalos, LMP chapter president, said they are 100 percent behind the President, Philippine National Police and other concerned agencies in efforts to totally rid the country of the illegal drug problem.
He noted that the campaign, to be successful, needs the full support of local chief executives.
“As local chief executives, we have a big role in the total eradication of illegal drugs especially in our communities,” Abalos said in an interview.
As show of support, he said the 11 municipal governments in the province are conducting another round of random drug tests for officials and employees.
He said the move is also aimed to ensure that workplaces of local governments in the area are free from illegal drugs.
The mayor said they will also regularly monitor the progress of illegal drug operations in their areas and provide the necessary support to the police and other law enforcement units.
In coordination with the barangay councils, he said they will assist also police units in terms of tips or intelligence information on local illegal drug personalities, especially those considered as high-value targets.
“We will do our best and pursue the necessary efforts to make our towns free from illegal drugs,”Abalos said.
The official stressed that residents of the province are against the proliferation of illegal drugs and warned individuals and groups engaging on them that local authorities are closely watching them.
“Our governor, Sultan Pax Mangudadatu, had declared that drug pushers and users have no place in Sultan Kudarat and that still stands,” Abalos added.(PNA)
