BY MARY JOY CAVAÑAS
ILOILO City – Mayor Jerry Treñas has assured the public that the city will never again be labeled as the “most shabu-lized.”
“We’ve been doing everything in our power to fight drug trafficking. The city government fully supports the Philippine National Police (PNP) in their campaign against illegal drugs,” stressed Treñas.
In August 2016, then-President Rodrigo Duterte – who waged a “war” against illegal drugs – branded Iloilo City as “most shabu-lized” and linked four Iloilo mayors, including the city’s mayor at the time, Jed Patrick Mabilog, and several police officers to drug trafficking.
“Shabu” is a colloquial term used to refer to methamphetamine, a powerful, highly addictive banned stimulant.
Mabilog, who fled to Canada in 2017 fearing for his life, repeatedly denied Duterte’s allegations.
Treñas emphasized that the city government has been reinforcing the Iloilo City Police Office’s (ICPO) capability to combat drug trafficking, notably by providing 38 patrol cars and fuel.
“We are continuously improving our police stations and purchasing firearms for our policemen,” added Treñas.
The city government even ensures the well-being of the police’s specialized dogs trained to detect illegal drugs and explosives, he pointed out.
Treñas believes that no other city in the Philippines has offered the same level of support to the PNP as Iloilo City has./PN
