Only 4 of over 1,000 ARMM bets undergo drug tests

COTABATO CITY — Only four out of over a thousand aspirants for elective positions in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) have so far submitted themselves to mandatory drug tests for candidates in the May 10 polls.

The latest to undergo drug tests at the ARMM police crime laboratory here were Talib Abo, a mayoral bet in the hostile and controversial town of Parang, Maguindanao, and his running mate, re-electionist Vice Mayor Adnan Biruar.

The first to comply with the drug testing imposed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) were former Justice Secretary Simeon Datumanong, who is vying for one of two congressional seats in Maguindanao, and his son, re-electionist board member Borgiva Tashmi Datumanong.

The ARMM covers Marawi City and the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Basilan, all considered "election hot spots."

The Datumanongs, who belong to an influential political clan in the second district of Maguindanao, both tested negative for illegal drugs.

Abo and Biruar, both Iranon Muslims from Bonggo, an island some five kilometers from the Parang town proper, also yielded negative results.