Narco-list expected today

CEBU, Philippines — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency is set to reveal the names of barangay officials allegedly involved in illegal drugs at 9:30 a.m. today in their national headquarters.

PDEA-7 director Emerson Margate said in his previous interview that they expect complaints from those who will be named today, but he said they are ready for it.

Margate said that the validation of the officials in the so-called “President Rodrigo Duterte’s narco-list” took almost two years and that they have already enough evidence to file charges against those barangay officials who will be named.

The said list was not just verified by the PDEA but also by the PNP, the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines intelligence service.

PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino on Wednesday revealed that there are a total of 211 barangay officials in the list, 89 are barangay captains and 122 are barangay councilors.

Groups like the Human Rights Watch already expressed their worries on the possible effect of the revelation of names on the lives of the officials. The group also urged PDEA to follow due process.

Margate already reiterated in his previous interview that everything has undergone due process and it did not violate human rights.

Meanwhile, the Police Regional Office-7 is confident that the list to be revealed today is validated.

"We just have to wait for PDEA to announce it, and remember ‘yung ia-anounce nila na list are those validated already," said Chief Superintendent Robert Quenery, director of PRO-7.

Quenery also said they are ready to face charges that those who will be named as narcopoliticians might file.

"Validated ang ilalabas na list. Pagpinangalanan pa-file-an na ng kaso, we are always ready to face anything just to get the advantage over the drug problem in the region," Quenery said.

Quenery added that they are unfazed by human rights group decrying the releasing of the names, citing this would make the persons named vulnerable to harm.

He added said if they keep fearing the outcome of the president's directive this will only hold back the campaign against illegal drugs.

"Well, if we continue to fear. Walang mangyayari matatakot tayo baka malagay sila sa spot. Whether they oppose it or not if the president says publish the list, we will do so," he said.

Quenery added that naming those in the narco-list will better inform the electorates whom to vote for.

"For me it's part of educating and informing voters in the problem of illegal drugs in the region," he said.

The head of the Department of the Interior and Local Government-7 echoed the call of the department’s highest official for aspiring barangay officials who are linked to the illegal drugs to drop their candidacy.

DILG-7 Region Director Rene Burdeos said the local office supports the position of DILG officer-in-charge Eduardo Año who earlier urged aspiring barangay captains and councilors involved in illegal drugs to desist from running in the upcoming elections.

“Whatever is the official statement of our secretary becomes the policy or stand of the department,” Burdeos said.

DILG released this month a strongly-worded statement quoting Año as saying, “Do your (aspiring barangay officials) country a favor. Do not even consider the thought of filing your certificate of candidacy for any position in the coming barangay and SK elections. Don’t use public office to cover up your involvement in narco trade. Don’t corrupt public funds for your crimes. Not under the watch of President (Rodrigo) Duterte. Not under my watch in the DILG.”

Año said he recognized the important role of barangay officials in the fight against illegal drugs and pointed out that elected barangay captains should not be involved in it since he or she will be heading the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (BADAC).

BADAC is the anti-illegal drug body of the barangay that is tasked to plan, strategize, and further implement and evaluate programs and projects focused on drug abuse prevention. It also organizes and orients BADAC auxiliary teams on their functions and responsibilities, and in formulating an action plan to address the drug problem.

Año questioned the “moral authority” of aspiring barangay officials in leading the campaign against illegal drugs if they themselves are involved in it.

Burdeos said he also agrees with revealing the list to help voters choose candidates for the upcoming elections on May 14.

“It is their (candidates) concern already. It would depend on the people if they would elect him or her. Besides, he might seem eligible to run even if he or she has drug links,” he said. — Mae Clydyl L. Avila (FREEMAN)