90 village chiefs on drug watchlist

MANILA -- ninety barangay (village) captains have been named in a drug watchlist that the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) released Monday morning, April 30.

The list contains a total of 207 names, which were validated by four law enforcement units, said PDEA director Aaron Aquino.

Charges would be filed against those on the list, he added.

The highest number of alleged drug personalities among barangay officials is in Bicol Region, with 70, followed by Cordillera with 34 and Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao, 13.

Aquino said the list is not a “hit list”. He also advised barangay officials who are not on the list not to rejoice yet, because they might be among the subjects who are still under validation.

Aquino reiterated the need to activate the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (Badac) and for cooperation from local officials to attain a drugcleared Philippines.

“Yung drug-free Philippines, hindi na natin makukuha yun (We can no longer attain a drug-free Philippines). We are now aiming for a drugcleared Philippines,” he said.

President Rodrigo Duterte had ordered the release of the list of barangay officials suspected of involvement in or protecting the narcotics trade ahead of the May 14 synchronized Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections. Third Anne PeraltaMalonzo/SunStar Philippines