DILG offers security for informants on politicos linked to illegal drugs

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Officer-in-Charge Eduardo Año encouraged the public to report and testify against government officials involved in the illegal drug trade.

Año assured that the DILG can provide security escorts for those who would report politicians involved in narcotics.

“Hinihingi namin ang tulong ng mamamayan. Kung may nalalaman kayo ibigay niyo sa amin, kung pwede merong mag te-testify, para ipakulong natin itong mga officials na involved sa drugs (We need the citizens’ help. If you know anything, let us have it and if possible, testify so that we can send these officials who are involved in drugs to jail),” Año said.

He said there is a next batch of names, including those of governors and mayors, who were allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade.

However, it is up to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to announce the names, and the DILG will help during the validation.

When President Rodrigo Duterte announced his list of alleged “narcopoliticians” and judges in July and August 2016, newly elected Daanbantayan Mayor Vicente Loot and former Cebu City mayor Michael Rama were among those he tagged as protectors. Both have denied the allegations and have asked for the opportunity to clear their names. Neither has been charged in court.

Año said that the agency filed a case against a barangay captain in Malabon City in the National Capital Region after the latter failed to report to the PDEA about the presence of an alleged illegal drug laboratory near the barangay hall.

He said that the public can report the information to the 8888 hotline.

Shortly before the May 14 village and youth elections, government agencies also released the names of suspected drug protectors who were in politics.