TWO CRIME-FIGHTERS

Davao crime statistics show that the city has one of the lowest crime
rates in the nation, which suggests that Duterte's style of dealing
with criminals is effective, despite criticism from his detractors.

Among the most vocal exponents of the country's all-out war against
illegal drugs has been none other than the Senate's chairman of the
committee on illegal drugs himself, Sen. Robert Barbers.

Running for reelection in the May 10 polls, the senator from Surigao
City is grimly contesting the 12th slot in the senatorial race with
Koalisyon ng Karanasan at Katapatan para sa Kinabukasan (K-4)
partymate Sen. Rodolfo Biazon.

Should Barbers fail to make it to the Magic 12, it would be a big blow
to the campaign against the proliferation and use of illegal drugs in
the country. Hopefully, the campaign will continue under a new
chairman who will have the same intensity and drive as Barbers whose
record along that line speaks for itself.

During his reelection bid campaign, Barbers dwelt extensively on the
remarkable gains achieved by the government in the nationwide drive
against this modern day scourge, and why it must not be wasted but
vigorously sustained.

It may be recalled that Barbers had made a similar appeal during the
launching of the nationwide Kontro Droga campaign of the Department of
Interior and Local Government (DILG) at the Amoranto Stadium in Quezon
City. It was attended by more than 5,000 members of different tricycle
operators' and drivers' associations and non-government organizations
(NGOs) who committed themselves to the fight against illegal drugs.

As of that time, the DILG reported having arrested 23,425 drug
offenders, raided 19 big shabu laboratories and warehouses with a
total street value of P13 billion and apparently neutralized 155 local
and international drug syndicates and their operations in 3,571
barangays throughout the country.

No doubt that if reelected, Sen. Barbers would continue to spearhead
the anti-illegal drugs campaign to its logical conclusion. But as of
this writing, the gentleman from Surigao City is in 13th place of the
standings in the senatorial race.

Speaking of illegal drugs where Davao City is concerned, the
reelection of Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte to a fifth term on the other
hand spells trouble for drug pushers and other types of criminals. His
obsession to make Davao a drug-free city and his hands-on approach in
making it a reality will be the hallmark of his next three years in
city hall.

Davao crime statistics show that the city has one of the lowest crime
rates in the nation, which suggests that Duterte's style of dealing
with criminals is effective, despite criticism from his detractors. To
Duterte, dead criminals mean less innocent people dying. "Frankly, I
don't mind if all criminals in this world go to hell," he once told a
correspondent from Reuters in an interview.

Criminals, take note.