A TOP official of a drug enforcement agency has confirmed Wednesday the existence of narco-political groups in Western Mindanao area, through the arrest of some members in an entrapment operation in Zamboanga City.
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director Dionisio Santiago has issued an order to monitor three narco-political groups operating in Western Mindanao area, said PDEA Regional Director Adzhar Albani.
The arrest of the suspected member Tuesday along with two others proved the existence of narco-political groups, Albani said.
One of the arrested suspected members works as a security-escort of a politician in the island province of Sulu, said Albani. He said the politician is a mayoralty bet in Sulu but he refused to disclose the name.
Albani also said his personnel have seized 50 grams of shabu with an estimated market value of P300,000.
r“Our concentration is to run after those members of the narco-politics and those who are still about to become a member so that the people will know and will not vote them,” he said.
The alleged members were already subjected to inquest proceeding before the City Prosecutor's Office in Zamboanga City, said Albani.