Abalos goes all out vs 200 druggies

Mandaluyong City Mayor Benhur Abalos Jr. directed yesterday the local police to neutralize at all cost the 200 suspected drug pushers and users in 11 of the city’s 27 barangays.

Abalos ordered local police chief Senior Superintendent Sukarno Ikbala to secure the help of the citizenry and the city hall employees in arresting the suspects, 20 of them notorious drug pushers, and haul them off to jail.

"Let us stop once and for all their illegal activities. I will not allow my city to be a haven of drug pushers and users," said Abalos noting that a large number of crime against property recorded by the local police like cellphone snatching and petty robberies, are perpetrated by persons high on drugs.

When reached for comment, Ikbala welcomed Abalos’ directive saying they already validated their list of drug pushers and users in the 11 drug influenced barangays. "We already know their identities and their modus operandi. It is only a matter of time before we corner and throw them behind bars," said Ikbala as he gave himself a six-month deadline to finish the job.

According to Ikbala, the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC) of the 11 barangays have pledged their full support and cooperation in the renewed campaign against illegal drugs.

Aside from the funding he is getting from higher police headquarters, Ikbala is also receiving a P50,000 monhtly stipend for his war against drug pushers and users from the city government. "We cannot fail the good mayor this time because we want the crime rate to drop further to make the city investor-friendly," said Ikbala.

Abalos is selling Mandaluyong City to local and foreign investors to raise revenues and retain its rating as the second most economically vibrant medium-sized city in the country, next only to Makati.

The young mayor noted that among the criteria being used by local and foreign investors is the stability of the peace and order situation in the area where they intend to pour in their money.

Last year, the crime rate of the city was placed at 30 incidents monthly per 100,000 population which is lower by 12 percent than the figure registered in 2001. The city’s population was placed at 304,000 but Ikbala explained that the figure could reach close to a million during peak hours from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. when residents of neighboring towns and cities converge in Mandaluyong. – Non Alquitran