OZAMIZ MAYOR TO DRUG LORDS: 'I'LL BUTCHER YOU'

OZAMIZ CITY -- "Kung dili kamo mamahawa diri sa dakbayan sa Ozamiz,
pang-ihawon ta g'yud mo tanan. (If you don't leave Ozamiz City, I'll
butcher you.)"

This was the warning of Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr. to drug lords and
dealers even as he vowed to intensify the local campaign against illegal drugs.

Parojinog, who claimed that his campaign against illegal drugs started even
before President Arroyo declared an all-out war against illegal drugs last
month, said his drive has already started to bear fruit. He said his goal
was to make Ozamiz drug-free.

Parojinog also claimed his city has become almost drug-free as a result of
the local campaign against the illegal drug trade.

Ironically, the mayor was reportedly linked by the National Democratic
Front (NDF) to the illegal trade, an accusation Parojinog strongly denied.
He has blamed his political opponents for carrying out a smear campaign
against his administration.

Responding to criticisms and allegations that Ozamiz City is one of the
worst places in the country in terms of illegal drugs, Parojinog said,
"Kamong mga panuwaya kamo, ayaw ninyo dalahiga ang maayo nga imahen sa
Ozamiz (You devils, don't give Ozamiz a bad name)."

Parojinog, however, said he would need the help of Oamiznons in fighting
the illegal drug trade.

"Mismo ang mga tawo suko kaayo pag-guwa sa balita sa national television
nga isa ang dakbayan sa Ozamiz nga nagungon sa droga mao nga sila g'yud
mismo nanghingusog nga mapapwa kini nga dungog sa Ozamiz," he said.

Parojinog added his administration is guided by a so-called "council of
elders" that regularly report to him and recommend things for good governance.

The "council of elders" is a group of 30 people representing different
sectors of Ozamiz. They are not employed by city hall and only serve as
volunteers.

"Ang ila lang g'yud mao ang pagtabang sa paglambo sa dakbayan sa Ozamiz,"
said Parojinog.

A drug-free Ozamiz is the third priority program of the local
administration, following peace and order and beautification, said Parojinog.

Meanwhile in neighboring Lanao del Sur, police officers under Senior Supt.
Aliakbar Bangcola intensified their operations against illegal drugs.

Last July 1, the police arrested a suspected drug pusher during a buy-bust
operation in Barangay Raya Madaya in Marawi City.

Police identified the suspect as Cataline Pang-an Esmail, 39. He is also a
coordinator of illegal gambling, according to the police.

Police said they confiscated from the suspect 100 grams of shabu worth
P182,000, masiao paraphernalia and P1,000 in cash.

Police have pressed charges against the suspect.

Police also tried to arrest a suspected drug pusher, Calbo Pobe, in Wao
town, and allegedly seized three sachets of shabu, M79 grenade launcher and
ammunition during a raid. The suspect managed to escape.

The provincial police office said five other drugs suspect in various raids.

The police operations resulted in the seizure of 17 sachets and 100 grams
of shabu with an estimated value of P182,600. They also recovered five
kilos of marijuana worth P5,000. Charges have been filed.