Echiverri slams ‘narco-politicians’

MANILA, Philippines - Caloocan City Mayor Enrico Echiveri vowed yesterday not to allow “narco-politicians” to lord it over the city even as he called on city residents to continue to fight the drug menace.

In a speech delivered on the 149th birth anniversary of  Gat Andres Bonifacio at the Bonifacio Monument Circle (BMC), Echiverri said the children of Caloocan will fight to keep this from happening.

“Like Bonifacio… we will not allow narco-politics to reign in Caloocan. We will not allow people who will lead our youth into vices to rule in the city,” he said.

Caloocan vice mayoral bet Antonio Almeda – running under the ticket of Rep. Oscar Malapitan, who is eyeing the city’s top post – was earlier linked to a sport utility vehicle that contained nine kilos of shabu, seized during a drug bust in Makati City. The National Power Corp. said it lent Almeda the vehicle when he worked as Ang Galing Pinoy’s party-list Rep. Juan Miguel Arroyo’s chief of staff.

Almeda countered that he returned the vehicle when he resigned from his job in 2010 to run for an elective post in Caloocan.

Echiverri said the ideals and goals of Bonifacio and the Katipunan he founded  will continue to inspire city residents. The mayor; his son, Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas president Councilor Ricojudge Echiverri; city officials and guests led rites that began with a parade along EDSA at around 6 a.m.

Edgardo Bonifacio, a relative of the hero, said in an interview that the greatest legacy Bonifacio left was humility.

“The name he left us he carried with honor and dignity. We will continue to do that and live what he taught us – to be unselfish and always ready to serve. He served unconditionally with no thought of any return,” said Edgardo, who was a special guest at the rites. – With Pete Laude