Palace to probe local execs of areas with high drug cases

Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/JOAN BONDOC

Malacañang is to issue a memorandum calling for the investigation of local government officials in places with high incidence of illegal drugs.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella said Malacañang is drafting the memorandum to investigate mayors and village chiefs in areas with high drug-related cases.

“Also (discussed was) a proposed memorandum for barangay captains and mayors (in) places with high incidence of drugs that they be investigated for neglect of duty if they (are) found to have neglected their tasks,” Abella said in a press briefing.

“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,” he added.

He said the draft was being discussed during the second Cabinet meeting on Monday.

Asked when the memorandum would be released, Abella could not give a timeline but said it would be released soon.

“I cannot give you a timeline but it will be soon,” he said.

He said the officials would be investigated by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and would “go through due process.”

He said drug problem in the country is a serious matter.

“It’s very complex. We want to reduce it as much as we can,” he said. RAM/rga

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