COTABATO CITY, Maguindanao – Mayor Anida Dimaukom of Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao, whose husband was killed in a supposed anti-drug operation in North Cotabato on October 27, said domestic concerns had prevented her from attending the January 10 meeting of mayors with President Rodrigo Duterte in Malacañang.
Anida, also named as a drug lord by Duterte along with her slain husband Samsudin, said she had to settle political feuds in the town and respond to the needs of civilians displaced by renewed skirmishes in some villages.
Anida was town vice mayor and assumed the mayorship when her husband was killed by police operatives in Makilala town in North Cotabato.
READ: Maguindanao mayor, 9 others dead in clash with anti-drug police
Samsudin’s death came a few weeks after he and Anida appeared in Camp Crame to deny their involvement in the illegal drugs trade.
Anida said she did not snub the President. She was not hiding or avoiding the Chief Executive, she said.
“My town is on the verge of being torn by political violence (since Samsudin’s killing),” she said.
Anida said one example of potential source of violence was the November assassination of first municipal councilor Anwar Sindatuk. Sindatuk’s killers are now under the custody of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, she said.
Anida said had she attended the meeting and asked for her side on her alleged drug links, she could have told the President it was not true and that it was obviously the result of local politics.
She said even before Duterte came to power, her husband had already waged a local anti-drug drive which resulted in the arrest of many pushers.
READ: ‘No mayor dared to speak out’
In Tagum City, Davao del Norte Gov. Anthony del Rosario said he was vigorously supporting Duterte’s anti-drug campaign.
“We understood what he wanted. For me, I support his call,” Del Rosario said after attending Thursday’s meeting with Duterte in Manila.
“I’m also interested to know who are those involved in illegal drugs in my province and stop this problem,” he added.
Compostela Valley Gov. Jayvee Tyrone Uy said Duterte also brandished a thick file containing the names and pictures of government officials and other personalities supposedly involved in the illegal drug trade.
Uy said the President’s message was clear, and that was the need for governors to help end the drug menace./rga