Duterte to identify mayor in shabu trade

DAVAO CITY — Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has accepted the challenge of Maguindanao mayors for him to name the municipal mayor he earlier had alluded to as having allegedly sneaked in at least 3.5 kilos of shabu to this city.

"I accept the challenge," Duterte said, referring to the call of Parang, Maguindanao Mayor Abu Talib.

Duterte, however, asked that he be given three to four days to consolidate the intelligence reports on the alleged illegal activities of the Maguindanao mayor.

"I am asking for three to four days for me to ask permission from the intelligence community to divulge the information," he said.

Duterte’s earlier claim that a Maguindanao mayor had transported shabu to this city even using an ambulance, caused a stir among the local chief executives.

The unnamed mayor reportedly had conspired with two local policemen, whose identities Duterte has also withheld.

"It is now clear that there is a demand for me to identify the mayor," said Duterte, adding that Talib’s challenge would make his work easier.

He said Talib has given him the legal excuse to reveal the mayor’s identity.

He, however, said he cannot divulge other information since this would affect the intelligence community.