Quezon mayor in drug bust dismissed

Ombudsman Aniano Desierto has dismissed from the service a Quezon town mayor arrested last year while transporting 500 kilos of high-grade shabu aboard a government-issued ambulance.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jose Lina said Mayor Ronnie Mitra of Panukulan town is the first chief local executive dismissed from his post over illegal drugs.

"This decision shows that narco-politics will not and shall not be allowed to reign in this country," Lina said.

The Ombudsman also dismissed Mitra’s driver Javier Morilla and security aide Ruel Dequilla who, along with a Chinese national, were also arrested in the drug bust. — Christina Mendez, Perseus Echeminada