Local government officials target of Palace memo vs. illegal drugs

As part of the Duterte administration’s campaign against illegal drugs, Malacañang said Tuesday that it is drafting a memorandum that would investigate local government officials in places with reported high incidence of drugs. 

According to presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella, the memorandum being drafted was discussed during the second Cabinet meeting held in Malacañang Monday. He said the memorandum will be released “soon.” 

“Also [discussed was] a proposed memorandum to barangay captains and mayors with places of high incidence of drugs that they may be investigated for serious neglect of duty if found to have neglected their tasks,” Abella said. 

“The incidents usually happen in the barangay level so it’s basically area management. If this is your area, that’s your area of responsibility,” Abella added. 

The Palace spokesperson, however, could not define what the liabilities for the erring local government officials will be. 

He said the investigation will be conducted by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). 

“They will go through their own due process,” Abella said. 

President Rodrigo Duterte was elected to the presidency with a campaign promise to end illegal drugs, crime, and corruption in the country. — RSJ, GMA News