PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) Chief Oscar Albayalde and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director Aaron Aquino were both in favor of releasing the list of TV personalities allegedly involved in illegal drug trade.
Aquino said there is nothing wrong with releasing the names, as long as the list is validated, confirmed, and the release was ordered by President Rodrigo Duterte.
“Basta unang-una utos ng Presidente. Kung inutusan ako ng Presidente i-rerelease ko...I think pwede siguro nating i-release once validated and confirmed,” he said.
(If it's ordered by the President, I will release the list. I think we can also release it once validated and confirmed.)
Albayalde, for his part, said it would be fair if the list will be released similar to the release of the names of politicians allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade.
On March 14, Duterte released the names of the 43 local officials and three congressmen allegedly involved in illegal drug operations. Majority of them were seeking public post for the upcoming midterm elections.
“Well ‘yung nangyari na nga dun sa narco-list eh bakit hindi mangyari doon sa iba? Just to be fair to everybody,” he said.
“Baka sabihin naman nila bakit ‘yung nasa narco-list pinublish and yet ‘yung iba hindi. I think kung ginawa sa iba, then maging parehas tayo,” he added.
Albayalde said the PNP earlier submitted at least 50 names of celebrities with alleged drug links.
However, he said it still depends on the PDEA whether to release the list, as it is the leading agency implementing the war on drugs. But he pledged support to the PDEA.
Earlier, Aquino said at least 31 celebrities, including a love team, were included in its list of TV personalities allegedly using illegal drugs, particularly party drugs, marijuana and cocaine.
Aquino said they are still validating the list and that they are also in the process of gathering pieces of evidence against the personalities.
He also urged TV networks to conduct drug testing among their artists. (SunStar Philippines)