Duterte rallies mayors to help him fight drugs

"No threat whatsoever against the mayors," so said Daanbantayan Mayor Vicente Loot about the meeting between mayors and President Rodrigo Duterte last Wednesday at the Malacañang Palace.

Duterte earlier challenged the mayors who are into narcopolitics to either resign from their post or get killed.

Earlier, Duterte has named Loot as among those who are reportedly involved in the illegal drug trade when he was still with the police force and until now that he is managing his town. Loot has since denied the charge.

"This time nag-plead lang siya sa mga mayors to help him fight against drugs," Loot said.

Cebu City Mayor Tomas R. Osmeña said that the president just "gave a forceful talk against illegal drugs and warns that he will keep it as his highest priority."

During the meeting, which lasted an hour and 15 minutes, Duterte was reportedly in "good mood" and did not show his anger towards politicians who are allegedly involved in drug trade.

Reports had it that the president showed his anger against Loot during the meeting. Loot denied such incident happened.

"He didn't say anything like that. He was not angry at all. When he referred to the list that he usually presents, he said something like 'andyan si Loot. So what kung general sya? Andyan din si Garbo. Chief of Staff sana nya (referring to a political opponent).' Mao ra to. Wala na lain," Loot added.

Loot added he has asked Duterte's top aide Bong Go to have an audience with the president, so he can present his side and clear his name.

Go reportedly promised to call him back for the appointment.

The President last Wednesday met the mayors – the first time since he assumed office and went on a full-scale campaign against illegal drugs.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government invited 1,490 town mayors and 145 city mayors nationwide to attend the meeting.

The mayors were divided into two groups, with the first group made up of officials from Visayas, Mindanao and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Mayors from Luzon composed the second group.

Gregg M. Rubio/GAN

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