PHILIPPINE Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director General Aaron Aquino denied getting from their foreign counterpart through wiretapping any information about involvement of local officials in illegal drug operations.

He said Thursday, March 7, that the government came up with the list of narco-politicians through the effort of law enforcement agencies, including the PDEA, Philippine National Police (PNP), and National Bureau of Investigation.

"Wala po kami natatanggap na mga information or intelligence regarding sa narco-list na nanggagaling po sa ibang bansa...Actually, nag-emanate po itong list na ito noong 2016 at ito po ay nakuha mula sa iba't-ibang law enforcement agencies... sa mga tauhan po namin sa baba nakakuha ng umpisa muna raw data and then prinoseso po ito para maging intelligence," he said.

(We did not get any information or intelligence regarding the narco-list from other countries. The list emanated in 2016 and the names included came from different law enforcement agencies...we got some information from our officers on the ground, and the raw data was processed to become intelligence information.)

"Wala po akong kaalam-alam tungkol sa issues po ng wiretapping, kung papaano ang mode of wiretapping na ginawa, at kung sino pong specific na ahensya ang gumawa nito," he added.

(We have no idea about wiretapping issues, how it was done, and what specific agency have conducted it.)

Earlier, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said foreign governments, particularly China, Russia, United States of America and Israel, have provided the Philippines intelligence information on alleged links of local politicians in illegal drug trade. The information, he said, was obtained through wiretapping.

Panelo made the statement amid the question of integrity on the government’s list of narco-politicians, as they push for its publication before the May 2019 midterm elections.

"Walang batas na nagsasabing iligal iyon, kung binibigyan tayo ng impormasyon (There is no law that prohibits other countries from giving us information). In fact, we should be thankful na we are being provided with information relative to criminal activities in this country," he said.

"We cannot allow people to run local governments -- the barangays -- by the destroyers of society. The people have the right to know; while there is an individual right, this individual right must yield to the people’s right to public safety, it must yield to people’s interest or the country’s interest," he added.

According to Local Government spokesperson and Assistant Secretary Jonathan Malaya, the list of alleged narco-politicians will be out next week.

Earlier, Aquino said the PDEA is not yet ready to release such list, as verification is still being completed.

He said there were 82 persons on the list and 64 of them are seeking re-election for the upcoming polls.

Meanwhile, PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde said politicians on the list have nothing to be afraid of, as it may be a way for them to clear their name and clarify the matter.

“Maganda na rin siguro na mailabas ito dahil paraan ito para malaman kung sino talaga ‘yung mga nasa listahan at kung ikaw ay may agam-agam na baka ikaw ay nandun ka sa listahan, isang paraan na rin ito para malinis ang pangalan mo. Hindi yung niniberbyos ka kung andun ka o wala ‘yung pangalan mo,” he said.

(This is an opportunity for people to know who are on the list, and if you have doubts whether you're on the list or not, this is an opportunity for you to clear your name.) (SunStar Philippines)