Drug bureau on the watch vs narcopoliticians

THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Northern Mindanao continues its campaign against high-value targets following the arrest of three drug traffickers considered as “big fish” the other week.

PDEA Regional Director Roberto Opeña told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro that they are also closely watching some local government officials suspected to be involved in illegal drug activities (narco-politics) in the region.

“So far, sa mga nahuhuli namin, wala naman silang na-mention na malalaking politicians na involved, but what I am talking about here is barangay officials. In fact, may isang barangay chairman at kagawad sa Bukidnon kaming minomonitor ngayon,” he added.

Opeña likewise said that even if there are no names of big politicians mentioned as possible protectors or source of illegal drug activities, their monitoring will continue.

“Hindi ibig sabihin na wala ay kampante na rin tayo na wala talaga,” he added.

The PDEA chief pointed out that illegal drug is the easiest way to fund for the campaign freebies and illegal gambling as well.

With this, Opeña said they have increased their surveillance and case build-up against politicians suspected of supporting or masterminding the distribution of illegal drugs to raise funds for the coming 2013 national and local elections.

He said they are now intensifying efforts to address the probable rise in narcopolitics as elections slate and the campaign season is coming into focus.

Opeña also calls for the community’s involvement to sweep drug pushers, including those local officials suspected to be involved in illegal drug activity within their locality.

He said community involvement is very much sought to curb drug pushers and users in the region as anti-narcotics agents need informants in PDEA’s efforts to eliminate illegal drugs.