“DO YOUR job. I would rather see a dead criminal than a dead policeman. Do not hesitate to shoot them down if they try to escape. I will back you up.”
The statement comes from Vice Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte, whose style of leadership in the fight against crime and criminals, especially of the heinous type, has raised quizzical eyebrows in certain quarters.
The occasion was the seminar held to launch the deputation of 130 police officers of Davao City into the local unit of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Administration (PDEA).
To be sure, the deputation raises the expectation of the citizenry on the ability of lawmen to check the proliferation of illegal drugs in the city. It simply means more warm bodies, brains and resources focused on the problem.
The heightened campaign is well-timed in that it comes during the opening of classes, a period when drug pushers ply their nefarious trade in school campuses, especially among students from the more affluent families.
The campaign’s chances of success are enhanced with the all-out support of the vice mayor whose desideratum is to preside over a city that is drug and crime-free, even going to the extent of warning criminals to stay out of Davao—OR ELSE!
The emphasis on the drug menace is well-placed simply because a big chunk of criminal acts are drug-related.
Duterte’s unequivocal support of law enforcers has been a source of inspiration in their ranks which has in turn translated into heightened alert on their part in the continuing fight against all sorts of criminality. Peace-loving Dabawenyos appreciate the fact that the city’s leadership is concerned about their collective security and doing what needs to be done to achieve that goal.
