Presidential aspirant and Manila mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso said he would appoint a Navy officer as secretary of the Department of National Defense (DND) if he is elected as the country's next president.
During the Presidential One-on-One Interviews with Boy Abunda on Jan. 27, Domagoso cited that a former Navy officer would have expertise in guarding the country’s borders and preventing the entry of illegal drugs.
“Kaya alam mo (you know what) for the first time, mag-appoint ako (I will appoint someone) from the Navy as secretary of national defense. Why? Because we are an archipelagic country,” Domagoso said.
While President Duterte’s war on drugs made it harder for those operating shabu laboratories, Domagoso said the drug problem in the country still continues as supply enters through the borders by the bulk.
“In fairness kay Pangulong Duterte, talagang halos hirap na hirap kung hindi nawala, halos mawala 'yung droga sa kalsada (It has been very hard if not gone, the drugs would have almost disappeared in the streets),” he said.
“Second thing that I have to give to President Duterte, nawala ‘yung manufacturing sa Pilipinas. Dati meron nahuhuli sa posh subdivision. Nawala nga ang manufacturing of drugs, the thing I found out, bulk na ang dumarating dito (manufacturing in the Philippines is gone. Previously, there were drug manufacturers being arrested in posh subdivisions. Manufacturing is gone, but the thing I found out, bulk is coming here),” he pointed out.
Domagoso then stressed the need for the country to improve its border security.
“So, there must be something wrong with our borders. There must be something wrong with our ports kasi kung wala na ‘yung manufacturing, hirap na magbenta, bakit kung dumating at mahuli namin, 48 kilos, 40 kilos, 5 kilos? (because if there is no more manufacturing, it is difficult to sell, how come we can still catch 48 kilos, 40 kilos, 5 kilos?)” the Manila mayor added.
“So, I think it’s high time for us to address our boundaries, our entries – the port of entries. Then, pag wala nang nagpaplanta, wala nang nagpapasok, naturally walang available na drugs (Then, when no one is planting, no one is entering, naturally there will be no drugs available).”