Taguig Mayor Freddie R. Tiñga yesterday expressed disappointment over the court’s dismissal of a drug case filed by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) against three suspected drug pushers bearing his family name.
 
“We share PDEA’s concern over this issue, as we have also seen many of our drug arrests set free because of legal technicalities. We stand by our position that the law applies to everyone whatever their last names may be,” Tiñga said.
 
The mayor said the dismissal of the drug case against Alberto and Fernando Tiñga, and Allan Carlos, is a major blow to the city’s and the agency’s all out campaign against the drug menace.
 
“Anyone caught using and selling illegal drugs is dealt with to the full extent of the law—regardless of who they are. There is no special treatment. Arrests have been made and continue to be made, and the guilty placed behind bars—including anyone who happen to bear my last name,” Tiñga said.
 
However, the mayor lamented that the dismissal of the case is now being used by his political opponents to besmirch his name.
 
“The timing of this issue is highly suspect though, given its proximity to the elections.  Our political adversaries have time and again attempted to tie us to this issue despite our continued efforts against the drug menace,” Tiñga said.
 
The mayor added that “we have always taken a strong position against the lax treatment of drug related crimes, just as we reiterate our stand against politicians who resort to dirty tactics such as this to cover their lack of accomplishment and their own shortcomings.”
 
Tiñga assured PDEA and other national agencies of the city’s full support in winning the war against the drug problem. The mayor stressed that the local government and police continue to prioritize and devote much of the city’s resources to the peace and order and anti-illegal drugs campaign.
 
PDEA Director General Dionisio R. Santiago even lauded Mayor Tiñga for his sincerity in accepting the fact that their city is confronted by the drug problem and both the local government’s and Taguig Police chief, Sr. Supt. Camilo Pancratius Cascolan’s pro-active stance and determination in waging a war against this public menace.