Espenido will be purveyor of truth : Carles mayor

FILE PHOTO/ Chief Inspector Jovie Espenido (PNA Photo)

ILOILO CITY — Mayor Sigfredo Betita of Carles, Iloilo, reportedly one of those in the “narco-politicians” list of President Rodrigo R. Duterte in 2016, is optimistic that Chief Inspector Jovie R. Espenido will be able to ferret out the truth.

Betita said Espenido is “welcome” in Iloilo, adding that his administration is “very supportive of the programs of the President.”

“If he comes to Iloilo I will welcome him,” he said as he revealed his initiatives to combat illegal drugs in an interview Wednesday afternoon.

Following an information coming from the provincial drug enforcement unit of the Philippine National Police (PNP) that illegal drugs are “rampant” in his town, Betita said that he met with all the village chairmen in his town and the Sangguniang Bayan (SB) for the passage of a reward system ordinance.

The proposal is PHP10,000 to PHP20,000 for low value targets and PHP20,000 to PHP50,000 for high value targets, he said. In the meantime, the mayor makes use of his personal money.

Carles, a coastal town in northern Iloilo, has a population of around 73,000.

He added that support, which include  travel, food and office supplies among others, has been extended to members of the PNP for them to become active in their fight against drugs and criminality.

The mayor said the tourism industry in Carles town was not affected by the illegal drugs’ tag. So far, no tourists were involved in illegal drugs.

He expressed apprehension that the next target of drug peddlers are tourists particularly those visiting Isla De Gigantes, which is now fast becoming a new destination.

Based on a report of the local police, the mayor said there are no suppliers of illegal drugs in their municipality. (PNA)