Tagbilaran Mayor Dan Lim yesterday issued a new challenge to Gov. Edgar Chatto: to appoint him as drug czar. The mayor fired off the challenge over his radio program “Ang Mayor Sa Dakbayan” in reaction to a caller’s frustration over a rape and killing of a young woman in Panglao town. Calling to inter-act on the mayor’s radio program, retired Navy officer Gaudencio Bantugan lamented the drug-induced crime which was perpetrated by a confessed drug user who works as a security guard. Lim said he cannot do anything about the Panglao incident because it is outside his jurisdiction but expressed willingness to do something about the proliferation of illegal drugs. “If Gov. Chatto will appoint me drug czar, I will be willing to accept,” the mayor declared. Chatto and Lim have clashed on many issues and do not see eye to eye politically. In the controversy that erupted over the allegations that he stripped inside an airplane last Dec. 16, Lim accused Chatto as one of those who exploited the issue.

The mayor, however, made it clear that he was willing to put aside his personal interest if it involves the common good. Lim admitted that the fight against illegal drugs is not going to be easy. He pointed out though that something needs to be done “or else we will be swallowed up by this menace”.  The mayor said he is not out to upstage anybody but only made it clear he wants to stand up and be counted. “It is dangerous but someone has to do it,” he added. As this developed, Lim revealed his plan to file a complaint before the Supreme Court over an order allowing drug personality Sherwin Bautista to post bail. The mayor, who described Bautista as the no. 1 drug lord in Bohol, said he wants a clear policy on the conduct of accused in drug cases. Bantugan said it is unfortunate that drug suspects are casually allowed to walk free on mere technicalities which lay to waste the hard work and effort of law enforcers during the case build-up. “This is one reason why some succumb to the temptation because their efforts are being wasted,” Bantugan said in Cebuano.