DOJ to probe politicians on narco-list

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra has assured that he would investigate all politicians who made it to the government’s so-called “narco-list.”

“Once the list is made public, we shall request the sources of the information (Philippine National Police, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and Local Government Units) to provide us with copies of their intelligence reports,” he disclosed.

Guevarra said he would then ask the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to investigate those on the narco-list.

Guevarra said the NBI would “build up the proper cases and file the appropriate complaints, if warranted.”

President Duterte has authorized Interior Secretary Eduardo Año to release the narco-list.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo explained that release of the narco-list is meant to dissuade voters from picking politicians believed to be involved in the illegal drugs trade.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) welcomed the move to release the list, saying this would benefit those who are innocent of illegal drugs involvement.

PNP chief Police General Oscar Albayalde said that President Duterte’s decision to release the so-called narco-list will be a sigh of relief for innocent politicians who may be nervous now that their names are included.

“This is a way to know who are really on the list. And if you fear that your name might be included, this will give you a peace of mind,” said Albayalde.

But the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said the timing of the possible release of the narco-list would only instigate mudslinging, violence, and character assassination.

Believing that this would fuel more hostilities, the CHR maintained that lawful methods should be adhered to as making the narco-list public would deny the individual’s right to due process.

In a statement, the CHR noted, “If we can withhold judgment against some candidates still facing plunder cases before the Sandiganbayan, Secretary Año can also respect and follow due process.”

Panelo had hinted that the government may have wiretapped conversations of these politicians on the narco-list.

But Guevarra said investigators can use wiretapped recordings from foreign governments if these have been used as the basis for the politicians’ inclusion on the narco-list.

“If the wiretapped conversation came from a country where wiretapping is not illegal, then it may be passed on to our government and considered admissible in Philippine courts,” he said. (With a report from Chito A. Chavez)