Duterte: More narco-pols to be named after validation

President Duterte says prosecutor, barangay captains and police officers are in the drugs list

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte has confirmed that there are still many narco-politicians who are yet to be named as he first ordered to validate the second roster containing the names of supposed government officials linked to drugs.

“There are still many [politicians involved in rampant drug sale whom I have to name but the second drug list needs] validation,” the President told a press conference in Davao on late Monday.

“There are many barangay captains, police, and many more, even prosecutors are coming [in the list],” he added.

Duterte made the statement after he named early Sunday over 150 public officials, including lawmakers, local executives, state forces, and judges, who allegedly have drug connections.

The President said he has to intensify his campaign against drugs so it will not destroy the country.

“I will not allow that under my watch. I will not allow the Philippine Republic to wilt just like a flower after a few days,” Duterte said.

Purge

“There will be a purge actually. Without declaring a Martial law, I will cleanse this government.”

The President also expressed confidence that the drug list handed to him by the intelligence officers is well-grounded, despite the concerns issued by different individuals, including Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.

On Monday, Sereno wrote a letter to Duterte, saying that his announcement was “premature” and would have “unwarranted effect of rendering the judge[s] veritably useless in discharging ‘[their] adjucative role.”

Sereno added that one of the seven judges named had already died while three others do not handle drug cases and that only one of them presided over the designated drugs court in the multi-sala court.

Duterte, however, maintained that there was established evidence to include the named individuals on the first list he read out.

“You know, the military and police will not provide names of people whose reputation will be ruined… Your name was in the computer because maybe, we have learned about your involvement. Though you think the government is stupid, we see and hear [everything about you so] don’t fool us,” the President said. (Ruth Abbey Gita/Sunnex)