FORMER Senator Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV has criticized Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte’s anti-drug campaign, labeling it as “trabahong tamad” or lazy work.

In a recent online interview, Trillanes challenged the efficacy of Baste’s strategy, arguing that merely mimicking his father’s style would not successfully combat the drug menace.

“Ito ngayon si Baste ginagaya na lang niya ‘yung tatay nya na pasiga-siga kunwari,” Trillanes said.

Mayor Duterte recently announced the revival of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s “war on drugs” in Davao City, a campaign that led to the deaths of an estimated 12,000 to 30,000 Filipinos, predominantly among the urban poor.

This approach, characterized by large-scale extrajudicial violence, mirrored the elder Duterte’s 22-year mayoral tenure in Davao City before his presidency from 2016 to 2022.

Despite the Duterte family’s long-standing rule in Davao, Trillanes pointed out the persistent prevalence of drugs in the city, suggesting that their methods have failed to address the root problem.

“Forty years nilang hawak ‘yung Davao, 40 years na silang nagwa-war on drugs tapos meron pa rin?” Trillanes asked.

He continued, “Mapapaisip kayo. Ibig sabihin hindi ‘yan ang solusyon.”

Advocating for a different strategy, Trillanes proposed cutting the drug supply to diminish demand.

“Unang-una tanggalin mo ‘yung supply. Kung walang supply, kung walang drogang ibinebenta, meron pa bang makakagamit? Di ba wala,” he said.

He also recommended launching information campaigns and organizing alternative activities to deter drug use, alongside prioritizing the rehabilitation of drug addicts.

Trillanes stressed the importance of a holistic approach in addressing the drug crisis.

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