PAMPANGA -- President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday warned Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog to stop all drug-related activities amid the administration's brutal crackdown on illegal drugs.
The President said Mabilog is still included in the updated list of government officials with alleged links to illegal drugs.
"I will tell you again, mayor, you are accused [of being involved in narcotics trade]. For the longest time, you are included in the updated [drug] list. Frankly, you may want to stop your [drug] connections while nothing is happening yet," Duterte told reporters in a chance interview.
"Do not protect [drug offenders]. Do not [go against] the police. Do not just mess up with the. If you are in cahoots with them, you are also a drug lord. I will be forced [to act on it]. Why would you be a drug protector?" he added.
Duterte repeated his stern warning that any individuals who will continue their illegal drug operations will get killed.
He said that he would not allow the Filipino people to suffer from the exacerbating drug menace in the country.
"If you are not content on your salary, then leave. Be a drug lord instead. You would get billions of pesos but in turn, you will get killed," the President said.
"We don't have to fool each other. To those who are rich already, stop [performing illicit acts]. Stop it. Stop because it will jeopardize the lives of next generation. I will not allow it," he added.
In a speech at the National Heroes' Day celebration in Taguig City, Duterte announced that he would assign Ozamiz City police director Chief Inspector Jovie Espenido to Iloilo City.
Espenido was police chief in Albuera, Leyte when town mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. was slain. He was also the head of Ozamiz police when Ozamiz City Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog was killed in an anti-drug operation.
"Your next assignment is Iloilo," the President told Espenido.
Duterte, however, reminded Espenido to fulfill his mandate by avoiding "unlawful" exercise of killing drug personalities.
"Just follow the rules of engagement, the requirements of the performance of duty which you have learned in your PNPA (Philippine National Police Academy) for almost four years," he added. (VoxPop Philippines)
