As the death toll rises and broken lives continue to pile up due to the widespread use of illegal drugs in the province, Boholanos have pinned their hopes on President-elect Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign promise to eradicate the illegal drug menace in “three to six months”.

Despite best efforts of the present administration to stem the drug menace, many still hold a negative perception that the problem is “out of control” and Duterte’s commitment to crush a national drug epidemic has mesmerized thousands of Boholanos.

This was the response of sixteen callers when asked during DYRD “Inyong Alagad” on Thursday, May 19, 2016 “With the number of policy pronouncements President Duterte has issued, what should be the priority policy that has to be implemented upon his assumption of office?’.

A number of desperate callers, short of begging, called on Duterte to “hit the ground running against illegal drugs”.

A hotline directly to authorities personally handpicked by Duterte was also suggested leaving out the police whom many suspect of coddling drug dealers.

According to reports, Duterte asked regional directors of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to submit an updated list of illegal drug personalities in their jurisdiction.

The incoming Congress has pushed for the reimposition of the death penalty which was abolished in 2006 that will serve as a deterrent to the commission of heinous crimes. (Chito M. Visarra)