Drug bureau trains eyes on narco-politicians

THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Davao Region is closely watching some government officials suspected to be involved in illegal drug activities in the region.

Emerson Rosales, PDEA regional director, said they received reports from several concerned citizens that there are such officials.

They are verifying these. He added that escorts and private armies of the government officials or politicians are included on the verification.

"There were reports from the community; however, this information is not yet confirmed. So, PDEA has been monitoring these several information, tinitingnan namin kung alin dun sa information ang totoo at alin ang sabi-sabi lang," Rosales said.

Rosales added that the bureau is also looking at government officials' rivalries, which could also be the source of the raw information.

"Hindi naman maiaalis sa posibilidad na meron siraan sa pagitan ng ibang politicians, so we in PDEA include that in our monitoring. As of now, mahina pa yung ebidensiya natin. Until walang makakapagpatunay ng mga balita, we cannot also go into details," he said.

Superintendent Neil Salcedo, spokesperson for the Police Regional Office (PRO), said as far as their office is concerned, they have not yet caught any government official involved in the illegal drug trade.

"Kung meron man, we will coordinate with the PDEA 11 on the matter. And on our part sa PNP (Philippine National Police), nakikita naman ng lahat that we don't tolerate those policemen involved in various illegal activities lalo na sa drugs," Salcedo said.

Salcedo added that the PNP strongly condemned any illegal activities, and that they really support the campaign of the PDEA on anti-illegal drugs.

Rosales also appealed to the public to continue supporting the campaign of the authorities on anti-illegal drugs by sending their comments, suggestions, queries, and reports on their hotline number 700PDEA (7007332), 0999-888PDEA (0999-8887332) and 09395433405.