Police, Army officials welcome Maguindanao local execs' support for MASA MASID

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 25): Police, Army officials welcome Maguindanao local execs' support for MASA MASID

Police and military officials in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) have lauded local officials' readiness to help carry out the government's anti-drug, anti-corruption drive.

Chief Supt. Reuben Sindac, police director for ARMM, said he was elated that local officials vowed their all-out support for the "Mamamayang Ayaw Sa Anomalya, Mamamayang Ayaw sa Ilegal na Droga" (MASA MASID).

"We welcome local officials' commitment and willingness to help in the drive against illegal drugs and corruption in the local level," Sindac told reporters Saturday.

On Thursday, Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu, representatives of the police, the military, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), jointly launched MASA-MASID with the regional military officials in attendance.

Sindac said he personally thanked Mangudadatu for bringing in all 36 Maguindanao town mayors to support the anti-drug campaign of President Rodrigo Duterte. MASA MASID was officially launched in Buluan, capital of Maguindanao, on Thursday.

“Without the support of local officials, the anti-illegal drugs campaign of the government will not succeed," Sindac said.

In support of the anti-drug, anti-corruption campaign, a fun-run for a cause was launched Saturday in Shariff Aguak town where about 1,000 former drug dependents participated, along with leaders of various police and military units in Maguindanao's second district.

Shariff Aguak Mayor Marop Ampatuan provided prizes for fun run winners.

"The fun run is an indication that the grassroots participation in the campaign is gaining ground," Maj. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., Western Mindanao Command chief, who joined officials of the 6th Infantry Division in the activity.

The campaign against illegal drug personalities and suspected drug lords continue in Maguindanao, according to Sr. Insp. Rasol Pandulo, Maguindanao PNP spokesperson.

Two Maguindanao town mayors publicly named by President Duterte as "narco-politicians" remain at large. They are Ampatuan town Mayor Rasul Sangki and Talitay Mayor Montasir Sabal.

Both denied they were into drugs but they have so far not surrendered.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=974839