SURIGAO del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers on Monday expressed dismay over reports that 37 personnel from Davao City’s Public Safety and Security Office tested positive for illegal drugs.
“As chairman of the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs, i call on the PNP (Philippine National Police) and PDEA (Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency) to deeply get involved and eradicate the source of the illegal drugs in Davao City. Spare no one and leave no stone unturned in getting to the bottom of this mess,” Barbers said.
Barbers lamented that even Davao City where the number one enemy of illegal drugs resides was not spared. “This shows us that the problem is indeed serious and the solution is not a walk in the park. We have to take a whole-of-nation approach and everyone’s help is encouraged. This bold display of arrogance by these drug syndicates is indicative of their mistaken confidence that they can bribe their way in and out of our system,” Barbers stressed.
He expressed support to Mayor Baste Duterte in fighting this serious problem.
“I understand this problem very well. I was once governor of my province. I know where the local authorities are standing right now and the pressure they are in. I will gladly share to them any information that may come my way as chairman of the Committee on Dangerous Drugs. Fighting this together in a united front is the only way to succeed,” Barbers said.
He also warned the drug syndicates that their days were numbered.
“If these syndicates think that they can bribe all of us, they are terribly mistaken. What you have shown so far in using drug money to buy our lands, our officials, our electoral system and our people only challenges us more to fight back and give you what you deserve, the only language you understand, death, as I call on the government to immediately revive the death penalty and send these syndicates to the gallows,” Barbers said.
