Tabogon gets presidential visit for the first time

CEBU, Philippines — For the first time in its history, a president visited the third class municipality of Tabogon in northern Cebu and the residents were pleased with an estimated 3,000 gathered at the town’s gymnasium.

"First time ni ug record-breaking ni kay nibisita gyud siya bisan sa kalayo ug sa kapobre sa among lungsod. Dakong kalipay ni namo para sa mga Tabogonon," said Tabogon Mayor Zigfred Duterte, President Rodrigo Duterte’s third degree nephew.

The president took advantage of the captured audience and rallied for support in his war against illegal drugs.

“Ang droga will kill our nation someday. You reduce the young people of this country to crave for a chemical called shabu and make them inutile for the rest of their lives,” Duterte said.

He also lashed at Daanbantayan Mayor Vicente Loot who he has tagged as a drug protector for allegedly coddling drug traffickers in and out of the police service before Loot retired from the Philippine National Police.

Loot was among the three mayors not invited to the dinner the president had Friday night with local chief executives and members of the Cabinet. Also not invited were Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña and Ronda Mayor Mariano Blanco. Osmeña and Blanco were also tagged as having links to the illegal drug trade.

In Tabogon, the president reiterated his support to the police and military as they perform their duties relative to the drug war.

"Let us stand firm in our shared mission of building a great nation free from the shackles of terrorism, criminality, illegal drugs and corruption,” Duterte told Tabogon residents.

During his speech, however, the president was interrupted by the undeniable heat at the gym that he asked his special assistant, Bong Go – to the surprise of many – to take note of the facility’s condition so the town can be given air conditioning units.  Zigfred said he is glad that the president was able to meet his relatives in the town.

"Nalipay ko nga na-meet na niya ang iyahang mga kaliwat," he said.

With Duterte were Deputy Speaker and Cebu Third District Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia, Fourth District Rep. Benhur Salimbangon, Tuburan Mayor Democrito Diamante, Borbon Mayor Noel Dotillos, and Catmon Mayor Dan Jusay.

At least 400 police personnel and troops from the Armed Forces of the Philippines were deployed in Tabogon during the president’s visit.  The visit was peaceful and no untoward incident was recorded, said Police Supt. Reyman Tolentin of the Police Regional Office (PRO) - 7.

"Generally peaceful, walay rally nga nahitabo ug wala usab reported untoward incidents. Ang security package nga gihatag, from the route, sa area, venue, everything was ironed out well. We see to it nga walay bad elements nga makadisgrasya sa atong presidente. Dako sad og gikatabang ang pagpakabana sa tawo," Tolentin told The Freeman. (FREEMAN)