Mayors support one-strike policy

CEBU – The president of the Cebu Municipal Mayors League expressed full support for the “one-strike policy” that the Department of Interior and Local Government has announced to ensure an effective fight against illegal drugs.

CMML president and Dumanjug Mayor Sarsi Baricuatro said the league also welcomes the reported extended coverage of the policy to include local government officials.

DILG secretary Ronaldo Puno earlier announced that a “one-strike policy” will be implemented to effectively combat the drug problem in the country. This mean that a police chief in a municipality, city, province or region will be relieved and placed under administrative investigation if a drug operation is conducted by other units in their area of jurisdiction without their knowledge.

Earlier reports quoted Puno saying that the policy will also cover the local chief executives as well especially if a shabu laboratory is discovered in their place. According to reports, Puno believes it is unbelievable for a barangay captain not to know who the drug pushers in his barangay are.

Baricuatro said the intention is laudable and the league is willing to cooperate to ensure its success.

Baricuatro said his administration has been very active in the campaign against illegal drugs and he personally investigates suspicious establishments in his town which may be engaged in illegal activity.

A shabu laboratory was discovered in Cebu two years ago and the case against the people behind the operation of the said laboratory in Mandaue City remains pending at the Regional Trial Court.

The suspects, mostly foreigners, including the alleged financier Calvin Tan, were charged with violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act. The shabu laboratory was said to be the biggest in Asia.

Local contacts of the foreigners accused in the operation of the laboratory remain unknown until now. — Fred P. Languido/BRP (THE FREEMAN)