Duterte summons mayors to Palace

Mayors from the Visayas and Mindanao will meet this afternoon with President Rodrigo Duterte, who summoned them to Malacañang. Among those who plan to attend is Daanbantayan Mayor Vicente Loot, a retired police general whom the President has linked to the illegal drug trade. As of Tuesday, the local government department said that only five Cebu mayors have declined.

President Rodrigo Duterte has called a meeting today with all mayors in the country, regardless of political affiliation.

This, after he announced that he would kill chief executives who are engaged in the illegal drugs trade.

Duterte will first meet with mayors from the Visayas and Mindanao at 2 p.m., followed by mayors from Luzon at 4 p.m.

Daanbantayan Mayor Vicente Loot, a retired police general who was on Duterte’s list of drug lord protectors, said he will attend so he can personally explain his side to the President.

Loot said he will bring no bodyguard, entrusting his safety to God while traveling to Malacañang.

“I will tell the President that the people who want me destroyed politically are those who are in the ‘yellow group’ and who campaign against him (Duterte) during the last election,” he said.

Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Director Rene Burdeos said five mayors from Cebu will not be attending.

Cristina Garcia-Frasco of Liloan is on maternity leave, while Raymond Calderon of Samboan is sick. Jose Esgana of Sta. Fe and Ronald Allan Cesante of Dalaguete are both under suspension by the Office of the Ombudsman. Ace Binghay of Balamban did not give a reason.

Another suspended mayor, Nic de los Santos of Alcoy, can attend, but he cannot use public funds for his travel expenses.

Burdeos said those who can- not attend should not send representatives because the President only wants to meet chief executives.

Tuburan Mayor Democrito Diamante said Malacañang did not lay down any agenda for the meeting.

Diamante said he might give the President an update on the status of illegal drugs in his municipality.