MANILA - Barangay captains and mayors of areas where drugs are rampant will also be held liable if found to have neglected their duties.

Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said the proposed memorandum authorizing an investigation by the Department of the Interior and Local Government of local government officials was discussed during Monday's Cabinet meeting and will be released "soon."

"There are plans to set up regional rehabilitation centers for the rehabilitation of drug users. Also a memorandum, a proposed memorandum for barangay captains and mayors of places with high incidence of drugs that they may be investigated for serious neglect of duty if they are found to have neglected their tasks," Abella said.

"The incidents usually happen in the barangay level. So in order to be able to determine, it's basically area management… If this is your area, that is your area of responsibility," he added.

As previously mentioned by President Duterte, mayors said to be involved in the operation of drug syndicates will be named in the future.

Abella said there is "no word" yet on the proposal to arm barangay tanods and that it was not discussed.

Duterte to take drugs war down to barangay level