ILOILO City – Barangay officials were warned against engaging in drug trafficking in any way.
“Indi kamo mag-entra kay tama ka delikado … ang ultimate nga matabo madulaan ka kabuhi,” Mayor Jose Espinosa III said when sought for comment on the death of Barangay Captain Remia Prevendido Gregori of Bakhaw, Mandurriao district.
It would be better for barangay officials to sell peanuts, chicharron (fried pork rinds) and balut (boiled fertilized duck egg) on the side than illegal drugs, the mayor quipped.
Gregori was a high-value target of the Mandurriao police in the campaign against illegal drugs. Armed men killed her and a house help in her resort in San Joaquin, Iloilo on Sunday afternoon.
“Ina nga negosyo, kon ara ka na, kabudlay gid maguwa,” Espinosa said of the drug trade.
“Usually, kon ara ka na, ang kabuhi nimo, sang pamilya mo, is in danger. Wala ka kabalo kon diin mahalin ang nga mga persona nga maga-utas sang kabuhi mo,” he stressed.
Espinosa disclosed that no less than President Rodrigo Duterte advised him against engaging in the drug trade. The mayor would like to give the same advice to the barangay officials.
“Pagkitaay namon [ni Duterte] sa Malacañang, siling niya sa akon, ‘Mayor, indi gid ka gid mag-entra. Bisan isa lang ka tawag mo sa pulis mo nga arburon mo nga indi pagdakpon kay aton nâ, you’re a coddler already sa akon panan-awan,’” said Espinosa.
Espinosa said the same advice goes to all new and incoming barangay officials.
Narco-barangay officials cannot expect any help from the Office of the City Mayor, he stressed.
“Antes kamo magpungko subong, kinanglan limpyo ang inyo nga record kay mabal-an man gihapon ina kay ang intel sang Presidente, sang alkalde, sang DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government), bal-an nila gahinabô diri. Kilala nila kon sin-o may salâ,” he added./PN
