MANILA, April 18 (Xinhua) -- Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos on Tuesday vowed to step up fight against political violence and illegal drug trade, saying the two are the biggest threat to the country's peace and order.
During a meeting with members of the national and regional peace and order councils at the presidential palace, Marcos noted that violent incidents were rampant after elections last year and people think that the situation has worsened.
He urged the peace and order councils to address the proliferation of illegal or loose firearms that fuel violence in the country, warning about the rise of "warlordism."
Marcos issued the order amid rising killings of politicians in recent months, including the assassination of Marcos' political ally Roel Degamo last month.
"That is true because even one is too much," Marcos said.
The other overwhelming problem confronting the Southeast Asian country's security is violence perpetrated by drug syndicates quarreling over territory with the involvement of some members of police force, Marcos added.
"It stems from the territorial fights over areas where drugs are distributed, who controls the drug trade in that area," Marcos said.
He said officials must watch out for gangsters and stressed the need to dismantle the group's criminal activities.
