PDEA steps up drive vs narco politicians

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has vowed to intensify its crackdown on narco-politicians amid the expected spike in the illegal drugs trade during the holiday season.

PDEA Director-General Aaron Aquino said he has tapped operatives to check and find out if party and othetr illegal drugs are being used or distributed especially in Christmas season “rave parties".

At present, Aquino said PDEA is regularly conducting the adjudication process for the 83 listed narco-politicians as five mayors and one vice mayor are about to be cleared.

But Aquino stressed that the six delisted local officials may be included in the narco list anew if should it be proven that they retruned to their nefarious ways.

Aquino, however, refused tho identify the delisted officials.

He noted that those included in the narco-list are sometimes considered coddlers and / or protectors.

Aquino cited cases wherein a mayor or other officials would intercede in a drug case and ask the chief of police of his locality to spare a relative from illegal drug charges.

He explained that these are the instances when a local official gets included in the narco list.

To ensure the accuracy of the narco-list, Aquino said the validation process is being conducted by the PDEA, Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines.