In a speech during the anniversary celebration of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Duterte promised continued support for lawmen who go after drug personalities.
The reassurance comes following the death of Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. of Albuera, Leyte at the hands of a regional team of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Espinosa was killed inside his cell at the Leyte sub-provincial jail in an 6alleged rubout by the CIDG last Nov. 5. The policemen claimed they raided Espinosa’s cell for drugs and guns.
Duterte reiterated that the widespread drug problem should be addressed, otherwise the country would become a narco-state.
He also directed the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to revalidate the order of battle, which also went through verification by the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency.
“We have about 17 mayors (allegedly involved in drug trade). One of them just died. And we have about two congressmen and about three or four, I’m not sure of the four, governor,” Duterte said.
It was not clear if the President was referring to Espinosa or to Mayor Samsudin Dimaukon of Datu Saudi-Ampatuan, who was killed in an alleged shootout last October.
The Espinosa slay is the subject of the probe of the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs chaired by Sen. Panfilo Lacson.