“This time, it’s a war,” said Mayor Marino “Boking” Morales.
In a directive, Morales enjoined the city’s 27 village chiefs to knock on the doors of suspected drug pushers and users and invite them to attend a meeting that puts emphasis on the dangers of illegal drugs and the severe penalty on the violation of the law.
“I want to personally talk to them so that they will understand the seriousness of what we are doing,” said Morales.
“This is similar to the national law enforcement initiative dubbed Oplan Tokhang which was done in Davao City,” the mayor explained.
Morales clarified that the local government unit has been relentless in its campaign against illegal drugs. But following the leadership of President Duterte, Morales said “it is time to raise the bar to another level so that we can totally eradicate and stop the menace posed by illegal drugs upon our community.”
The mayor also said he has instructed Dau Barangay Captain Oscar Aurelio to push hard against suspected drug pushers and users in his barangay which was identified as among the areas where the use of illegal drugs is rampant.
Roxas Street in the barangay has earned notoriety because of the so called “shabu tiangge” in the area.
Morales said random drug testing of all public officials will be mandatory. First to undergo drug testing will be officials of the city hall and its employees. Morales’ directive enjoins all barangay officials to do the same.
The mayor said during his meeting with suspected drug pushers and users, he encouraged them to turn a new leaf by helping them enroll in various courses under the TESDA like plumbing, welding, electronics, bar tending, information technology and call center agents among others.
“We enhanced the TESDA program. We went into a genuine partnership between the local government and the TESDA so that we can help our people how to earn a living,” he said. This is complemented with our public high schools and the Mabalacat City College, he added.
