Abalos cites Iloilo City’s war vs drugs

ILOILO CITY: The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said that Iloilo is far from its previous label as the country’s “most shabulized city” and a “bedrock of illegal drugs.”

“If ever the term ‘shabulized’ was used before, this time it is different. We can see it under the leadership of Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas, it’s totally different,” DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos said.

Abalos was in Iloilo City on April 19 to lead the 5-kilometer run of the Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan (BIDA) Rise and Run event, DILG’s flagship anti-illegal drugs campaign.

The “most shabulized” city tag was coined by former president Rodrigo Duterte in 2016 during the administration of Mayor Jed Mabilog, who was alleged to have links to the illegal drugs trade.

Abalos emphasized the contrast between the current administration’s approach against illegal drugs and that of the former president, which resulted in the deaths of thousands of people.

He recognized the crucial role of local government units in the antidrug campaign, stressing the importance of collaboration and identifying gaps in enforcement efforts.

Over 8,000 individuals, including government employees, law enforcement personnel, and people who use drugs undergoing community-based drug rehabilitation, participated in the BIDA Rise and Run event.

Treñas assured Abalos of the city government’s full support for the antidrug campaign.

“The problem with drugs is multifaceted, that is why we support the police but at the same time, we work with the barangay (villages) because the real problem is with the barangay. [...] And it is only through community effort that we will be able to stop this,” he said.

DILG City Director Oscar Lim Jr. reported that 94 out of 180 villages in the city have been declared drug-cleared.

He noted that drug-clearing operations for the remaining barangay have been sluggish due to challenges with the constantly changing requirements.