Maasin City residents asked to help fight drugs, corruption

MAASIN CITY, Aug. 11 -- Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Lloyd Dino asked residents in this city to help the central government in its  fight against illegal drugs and corruption.

Speaking to participants and spectators of the Ajonay Festival on Thursday afternoon, Dino said that the government alone cannot suppress illegal drugs proliferation.

“If there is something that this administration is serious about, that is the eradication of illegal drugs in this country,” Dino said.

“But the President cannot do it alone, our police cannot do it by themselves, we need the cooperation of all residents of every village. In behalf of the President, let us be committed in this fight. Let us help in this war against drug. This is the only way we can assure the development of the nation,” Dino added.

The enormity of illegal drug problem in the country was only unfolded when Duterte became the President, which they in the government was caught by surprise because of its wide influence that reaches narco-politics in the grassroots level, according to Dino. 

"We did not know the extent of the problem until he becomes the President. The problem was so big that admittedly the administration was not prepared on how to rehabilitate all those who surrendered,” he added.

Dino also asked city residents to help the President in his war against corruption.

"We can never imagine how much money gets into some pocket, such staggering amount that can be used in building schools, roads and bridges,” Dino added.

He assured that the Chief Executive is serious in this anti-corruption campaign because he does not spare even cabinet members allegedly involved in corruption.

President Rodrigo Duterte was born on March 28, 1945 in Maasin City, the capital of Southern Leyte province. His family stayed in Laboon village during his childhood years before moving to Davao City. (Roel T. Amazona/PNA)