As new DILG chief, Año vows ‘relentless’ anti-crime drive, but no EJKs

Newly-appointed DILG officer in charge Eduardo Año. (Photo by JULLIANE LOVE DE JESUS / INQUIRER.net)

On his first day as officer in charge of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Eduardo Año assured the public that extrajudicial killings (EJK) would not happen under his watch.

He also promised, however, that the fight against illegal drugs, crime, and corruption would be “relentless” during his leadership.

“I don’t believe in extrajudicial killings,” Año, who formerly led the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), said in an ambush interview on Tuesday.

“[EJK] not a policy of the government, and we will make sure that the rights of every individual are respected and recognized,” Año said.

Undersecretary Catalino Cuy, who is now chairman of the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB), formally turned over the DILG post to Año at the head office of the DILG and National Police Commission (Napolcom) in Quezon City on Tuesday.

The ex-AFP chief also allayed fears of some sectors about the looming “militarization” of the agency overseeing local government units and the police.

“I’m no longer a military man,” Año said. “I will really focus on carrying out the mandate of this department and make sure na we will deliver based on the people’s expections.” /atm