By Romie A. Evangelista

INTERIOR Secretary Ronaldo Puno yesterday ordered local government officials to take the front line in the war on illegal drugs even as two local agencies are embroiled in a controversy over a high-profile drug peddling case.

Mayors and governors, who have operational control over the local police, should lead in conducting raids and unannounced inspections of bars, resorts and nightclubs, particularly those being used as drug dens or places where illegal drugs are sold and delivered, Puno said.

?To perform such tasks is within their mandate under the Dangerous Drugs Act,? Puno said.

Mayors should exercise their powers to revoke the business permit of any establishment that is being used as a drop-off point or selling area for illegal drugs, he said.

Puno said punong barangays should identify house clusters, work places or streets where illegal drugs are sold or manufactured. They are ordered to report illegal activities immediately to the police or the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, whose agents accused some prosecutors of accepting bribe in exchange for the dismissal of drug peddling case against the ?Alabang Boys.?

Even as an independent panel is looking into the bribery charges, Puno warned local officials of administrative charges if they fail to act when there are adverse reports from the PDEA or the police about illegal drugs. These reports may involve sale of narcotics, use of such illegal drugs and the discovery of marijuana plantations, laboratories of shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) and other illegal substances in their jurisdiction, Puno said.

Meanwhile, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission has joined the police in the fight against illegal drugs, bringing with them the support of at least 60 non-governmental organizations.