Brgy execs into drugs confirmed
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) now has a list of barangay officials in the country allegedly involved in the drugs trade but refused to disclose their identities for now.
“We have a list but hindi ko ma-reveal, ma-divulge yung mga pangalan. I don’t have the authority to reveal,” PDEA Director General Isidro Lapeña said yesterday.
PDEA-7 Director Yogi Filemon Ruiz confirmed there are officials in Central Visayas (Region-7) who are on the list and his men are now investigating them.
Ruiz said there are also some city councilors on the list.
Region-7 covers Cebu, Bohol, and Siquijor.
“Naa'y mga barangay officials nga na-involved pero di pa nato ma-mention. We couldn't mention them specifically but investigations are being conducted right now as directed by our DG (Director-General Lapeña)… ako, I am tasked to conduct investigations against ani nga mga personalities,” Ruiz said.
While PDEA cannot disclose the names and how many officials in Region-7 are in the list, Ruiz explained:
“But for sure, considering nga Region-7 has one of the highest rate of drug problem, daghan pud ta'g mga elected officials dinhi nga gipa-conduct-an og investigation sa amoa, kay one of those thing will be for the appreciation sa akong presidente para pag-abot sa panahon, mahibaloan nato na ug makuhaan nato og ebidensya kung kinsa tong mga involved gyud.”
Early this month, barangays in Cebu City submitted their respective lists of drug personalities.
“It has already produced results, very productive na. Pila na ka barangay ang naconductan og operation… I can say more than 10 na (nga operation). That information came from their barangay chairman,” Ruiz said.
Ruiz said PDEA will also ask lists from barangays in Cebu Province.
“We will start next week. We will be meeting with the provincial government first in order to discuss this matter,” Ruiz said.
Meanwhile, Lapeña said he supports President Rodrigo Duterte's position of postponing the barangay elections as campaign funds might come from drug money.
“I will support the position of the president on that kasi kung magkaaron ng election, they will use drug money. Ayaw niya na mapasok tayo sa narcopolitics. If you have barangay captains connected with the drug syndicates, chances are, that will go to the mayors, up to the political hierarchy,” he said.
Early into his presidency, in line with his campaign against illegal drugs, Duterte disclosed names of public officials allegedly involved in the illegal drugs trade. Former Cebu City mayor Michael Rama is among those on the list.
Rama has since denied the allegations and, just recently, said he continues to seek audience with the president to clear his name.