Davide to take part in anti-drug fight

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III himself will be taking part in some of the police operations against illegal drugs in the province such as Oplan Tokhang.

This is in response to the call of President Duterte to all governors to help in the campaign against illegal drugs, according to Provincial Information Officer Jason Monteclar.

"The governor himself will participate during the actual anti-illegal drug operations like the Tokhang and Oplan Double Barrel. But, we still have to plot the schedule and determine the areas," Monteclar said.

"It's one way of showing them that the governor is really serious on the battle against illegal drugs, and the Cebu provincial government supports Duterte's programs," he added.

Davide was among the governors who attended the meeting with the President in Malacañang Thursday.

Davide relayed to Monteclar what had transpired during the meeting and shared how cordial, formal, nice and sincere Duterte was compared to what is seen on television.

Monteclar said Duterte did not scold any of the governors.

The governors were expecting the President to identify those among them involved in illegal drugs but he mentioned no names during the 90-minute meeting.

According to Davide, Monteclar said, Duterte showed them a two-inch thick document reportedly containing the list of names of government officials involved in illegal drugs, but the President did not divulge the names.

"He just showed the documents and waved them," Monteclar said.

In a PhilStar report, Duterte has ordered Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Ismael Sueno to give governors copies of a 500-page list of names of barangay captains and military officials allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade.

Aside from the anti-illegal drugs campaign, Monteclar said Duterte tackled big issues during the meeting, like federalism and martial law. But, these were not elaborated by the governor.

It can be recalled that last Saturday, Duterte was quoted saying that he would declare martial law if the situation in the Philippines become "virulent."

"Kung gusto ko, and if it will deteriorate into something really very virulent, I will declare martial law if I want to. Walang makapigil sa akin (If I wanted to… no one can stop me)," Duterte said in his speech during the oath-taking ceremony of the Trustees and Officers of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce in Davao City.

But the President said he would declare martial law not on the basis of invasion or insurrection but to preserve the country.

"If I have to declare martial law, I will declare it, not because of invasion, insurrection, I will declare martial law to preserve my nation, period," he said.

According to Monteclar, Davide came to Duterte's defense, saying that Davide's interpretation of Duterte's pronouncement was more of to "stun away or send a message to people, particularly the local government units that he is very serious on his war against illegal drugs."

"The impression of the governor is that the President will not declare martial law whether it's express or implied. It's just to send or make the message believable or convincing para sa mga tawo," Monteclar said.

As to federalism, Monteclar said Davide did not comment about it, but has previously said in a statement: "that it needs to be thoroughly studied, including its implications to the local level. In respect to the President, the Governor neither did oppose nor agree to federalism."

Prior to the governors' meeting, over a thousand local chief executives arrived in Malacañang Palace after Duterte summoned them to a closed-door meeting last January 11.

In his speech, Duterte confirmed that during his meeting with mayors all over the country, he had warned them that he will kill individuals, including local executives, linked in illegal drug trade. (FREEMAN)