Oca, Bambi favor PNP’s role on ‘war on drugs’

CITY Mayor Oscar Moreno and Misamis Oriental Governor Yevgeny Vincente “Bambi” Emano both want the Philippine National Police (PNP) to lead the anti illegal drugs war again, following President Rodrigo Duterte’s order for the law enforcement agency to stop interfering in drug operations.

Moreno in an interview said, he thinks that “President Duterte did what he did only to send a message to his detractors”.

“I think naa lang mensahe nga gusto ipaabot si Presidente ana, tungod sa naay mga komentaryo. Ang mensahe nga kinsa naman ang mag-atiman kung imong tangtangon ang police,” he said.

Moreno said that although he accepts the order, he is still hopeful that Duterte would reverse his decision, especially given the

performance of Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo).

“Maayo man ang performance sa police sa Cagayan de Oro,” he added.

Emano for his part, said he is worried that illegal drugs proliferation might increase in the province, if only the agents of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) will handle drug operations.

He said the force of PDEA is not enough to continue the gains achieved by police over the years since the drug war started.

“Gibati ko ug kabalaka sa tinuod lang kay naay mga pasumangil batok sa kwerpo sa kapulisan. Pero dili pud tiaw ilang pagpaningkamot nga mikunhod gyud ang illegal nga droga sa atong lalawigan sa nasud, ug nabalaka ko kay kulang kaayo ang PDEA para sa pagpaningkamot nga mapadayon ang atong nasugdan,” he said.

“Kami nanawagan nga ibalik sa atong Presidente ang pagpanghilabot sa atong kapulisan sa war on drugs, dili sa katuyuan sa pagpang-luthang o sa pagpatay, kundili pagpadayon sa kampanya batok sa illegal drugs ug criminality,” Emano added.

Cocpo spokesperson Chief Inspector Mardy Hortillosa meanwhile tha ked the chief executives for voicing out their support for the police, but pointed out that as a law enforcement agency, they will continue to follow command.

“Amo kini ikapasalamat kay nakita sa ato mga government officials sa dakbayan ug sa lalawigan unsa kaimportante ang papel sa police sa war on illegal drugs. But kami usa lamang ka tigpatuman sa balaood ug amo sundon lang kung unsa ang gisangon kanamo sa amo commanders nga nakauyon sa balaod,” Hortillosa said.

The City Council of Cagayan de Oro is set to pass a resolution urging President Duterte that while there’s no alternative force or agency or organization that would take their role, he should bring back the police in the anti illegal drugs operation.PJ Orias