THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Western Visayas confirmed Tuesday, March 5, that included in its narco-list are narco-politicians in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental.

PDEA-Western Visayas Director Alex Tablate told SunStar Bacolod that they are just waiting for the directives from the PDEA national office to release the names of the politicians.

He said those who are on the list have been validated by their office.

“There are 13 narco-politicians in Western Visayas. That is based on our validation but the number could increase depending on the validation which is not also being done by the PNP (Philippine National Police) and other agencies,” Tablate said.

He earlier said that those who are on the list are those running for congressman, governor, vice governor, mayor, and vice mayor. Based on the validation of his office, they have links to illegal drugs.

“We follow protocol and we will wait for our national headquarters of their disposition of the validation report that we submitted,” Tablate said.

He also refused to reveal the number of narco-politicians in Bacolod City and the province.

“The 13 politicians are spread out in Western Visayas,” he said.

He added there were apprehensions made to those involved in illegal drugs and some of the names surfaced based on their connections with those in the illegal drug trade.