Mayor Alfredo Lim, known for his unorthodox ways in tackling criminality, has created a special squad to weed out drug dealers and dens.

His spray-painting drive to mark the houses of known drug violators in the community drew mixed reactions from rights groups.

A key appointee to the Mayor?s Special Action Team is Maj. Alex Navarette, a be-medalled officer of the Manila?s Finest.

According to Ricardo de Guzman, chief of staff at the mayor?s office, Lim wanted MSAT ?to have the exclusive domain [in] operations against the prohibited drug business in our city.?

De Guzman, together with city legal officer Renato de la Cruz, have been named team consultants.

To put muscle to the anti-drug campaign, Lim has signed an agreement with Director Dionisio Santiago of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

The undertaking calls for joint operations where Pdea would provide MSAT logistical and staff reinforcement. Tony Macapagal