By NITZ ARANCON Correspondent PRESIDENT Duterte on Wednesday appointed Mayor Oscar Moreno as chairman of Northern Mindanao’s peace and order council, a city hall official said yesterday. Moreno’s appointment came the same day he and other mayors were called to Malacanang by Duterte. It was the same day of the mayor’s arrival from Harbin, China where he led a delegation in an official trip. Maricel Rivera, city hall spokesperson, said Moreno was among the mayors throughout the country who were asked to see Duterte in Malacanang this week. Rivera said Duterte told the mayors to help him in his war on illegal drugs by stepping up local anti-drug campaigns. “Dili man kay  gipatawag sila kay apil sa narco politics apan gipatawag sila kay gihangyo nga motabang  sa kampanya against illegal drugs,” Rivera said. She said Moreno received his appointment as chairman of the Regional Peace and Order Council   (RPOC) the same day, contained in an executive order. Rivera said it was Interior Secretary Ismael Sueno who endorsed Moreno for the position of chairman of the RPOC. Sueno chairs the National Peace and Order  Council (NPOC). Moreno’s appointment took effect immediately, said Rivera. Former councilor Edgar Cabanlas said Moreno’s appointment only meant that the President trusts and has confidence on Moreno. “Nagpasabot kana nga limpiyo si Moreno ug walay sala, ug labaw sa tanan, wala malagbigit sa narco-politics. I-appoint ba diay ka sa Presidente nga chairman sa peace and Order council kon na-a kay sala?” asked Cabanlas rhetorically. Meanwhile, Moreno  left for Davao City yesterday. The reason for his trip remains unclear although President Duterte was there because of a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.