Duterte warns Malabon mayor on drug situation; Oreta says ‘record speaks for itself’

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte has warned Malabon Mayor Antolin ‘Len Len’ A. Oreta III that he would face arrest if he fails to solve the alleged drug problem in the city. In a statement from the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) on Wednesday, Mr. Duterte was quoted as saying in a campaign rally of the ruling PDP-Laban party in Malabon City last Tuesday: “Mayor, linisin mo ang Malabon mo. Bigyan kita ng isang buwan (Mayor, clean up your Malabon. I am giving you one month).” Mr. Duterte was further quoted as saying that he would have the mayor arrested or just thrown at the Manila Bay. Mr. Oreta, currently on his second term, is running for re-election in the May midterm elections and is up against Vice Mayor Jeannie N. Sandoval, who is running under the PDP-Laban party. “She and her husband (Malabon Rep. Federico “Ricky” S. Sandoval II) are both running under the President’s party, the PDP-Laban,” the PCOO said. Peace and order, according to the PCOO, is also “a major concern in Malabon as the city is infested with armed goons.” Meanwhile, Mr. Oreta, in a statement on Wednesday, said, “We deeply appreciate the President’s concern about the drug situation here in Malabon City but our record speaks for itself.” He said with “continuous efforts from the local authorities and the communities,” they continue to envision the city “as one of the first 100% drug-cleared cities in Metro Manila.” — Arjay L. Balinbin