PDEA to press charges against 3 ex-brgy chiefs on narco list

CEBU, Philippines — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Central Visayas (PDEA-7) announced that charges will be filed against those who were named on the narco list that was released last Monday.

PDEA-7 Spokesperson Leia Albiar told reporters in a press conference that the purpose of the list was not only to defame the personalities but to pursue liabilities for breach of trust.

Being public officials, they are expected to be an example of good deeds to their constituents but these narco-politicians instead got themselves involved in the illegal drug trade.

“Mao lang pud amo i-emphasize nga cases will be filed against these personalities. Dili lang ni pangdaot  sa ngalan sa tao. We understand the gravity, our DG understands the gravity sa pag-declare. That’s why we will be filing a case gyud,” she said.

To recall, PDEA and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) revealed the 207 names of barangay officials nationwide who are allegedly involved in the drug trade.

However, their roles, whether pusher, user or protector were not specified.

Of the 207, three came from Central Visayas namely, Ramonette Durano, former barangay captain of Suba, Danao City; Bibiano “Bibs” Cabaron, former barangay chief and now municipal councilor of Ronda; and Marc Ferdinand “Denden” Bas, former barangay captain of Lagtang Talisay City.

Previously, Cebu 5th District Rep. Ramon “Red” Durano VI expressed that the names indicated on the list needed further validation in the local level. He disputed that Ramonette’s name was not included on Danao police station’s watch list.

But Albiar remained firm that there was sufficient evidence collated that can implicate the personalities named and vouch that the names deserved to be included in the narco list.

“Dili i-release if walay sufficient evidence. The region was asked to submit additional information. Sila sa national nakita nila nga fit, and bug-at ang evidence,” she said.

She reiterated that one of the glaring evidence of a politician’s involvement during the validation was if the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC) was fully activated and functioning.

Albiar added that the list served its purpose as it informs voters to and decide if they would continue to vote the personalities named as narco- politicians.

“Would you rub elbows with someone nga kabaw jud ka nga durg personality? Katong mga constituents nga aware na, mas mo-scrutinize na sila if naa’y mulansar nga affiliated, ani nga personality,” Albiar said.

Albiar said that the 207 names were part of the thousands on the President’s list and PDEA still has 274 more names that are still being validated.

She said that it will be the PDEA head office that will file criminal charges against the named personalities while DILG will initiate the administrative charges.

Meanwhile, the Lapu-Lapu City government will continue to monitor barangay officials involved in illegal drugs even if the PDEA narco list does not include any official from the city.

“Continue gihapon ang police sa ilahang monitoring. Naa man sad ang BADAC nga mo-monitor pud kay mao na ilahang function,” Radaza said.

In yesterday’s press conference, Radaza said urges incumbent barangay officials that they should not be involved in this prohibited activity.

PDEA’s list would also a mean a warning for the barangay officials.

“Makuyawan sila og duna sila (or maapil) ana,” Radaza said. — MBG (FREEMAN)