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[av_heading heading=’Malones not afraid of Duterte’s warning’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
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ILOILO – President Rodrigo Duterte warned local chief executives involved in illegal drugs that they will be shot to death.
Mayor Mariano Malones of Maasin town is not afraid.
“Mahadlok ka lang sa mga tinaga sang Presidente kon involved ka,” he said.
Malones was one of the four Iloilo mayors Duterte tagged as “drug coddlers” in a speech in August last year.
On Wednesday, he joined Jed Patrick Mabilog of Iloilo City, Siegfredo Betita of Carles and Alex Centena of Calinog, and other mayors in a meeting in Malacañang where Duterte reportedly ordered chiefs of police to shoot them if they get involved in drugs.
“Bisan ginlawag pa da ang pangalan ko as one of the narco-politicians, but because I’m not guilty, wala ko nahadlok mag-expose sang kaugalingon ko [kag] maghambal anytime interview-hon ako,” Malones stressed. “I’m not really guilty.”
Malones expected Duterte to name during the meeting all the local government officials allegedly involved in drugs.
But the President did not and just emphasized his programs against illegal drugs and corruption, said the Maasin mayor.
“Wala kita nahadlok sa sina nga bagay kag gina-obra ta lang ang aton obligasyon nga iya (Duterte) ginsugo sa aton diri sa banwa sang Maasin nga, if possible, madula ining droga kag illegal gambling,” he said.
According to Malones, his town has only 48 drug surrenderees.
Late last year the Sangguniang Bayan and the Municipal Peace and Order Council declared Maasin “drug-free.”
Days after Duterte tagged him to illegal drugs, Malones went to Davao City to personally meet with the President and clear his name.
On Wednesday, Duterte told the mayors who want to talk to him to set appointments.
“Naka-istorya naman ako sa aton Presidente. I’m just waiting for clearance or whatever nga mahimo sa aton sang DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government),” said Malones.
The DILG’s Task Force Lawin is investigating all the local chief executives Duterte tagged to the drug trade.
“We are waiting for the findings,” said Malones.
Panay News tried to reach Centena for comment, but to no avail./PN
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