THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Southern Mindanao is looking into the alleged involvement of two politicians in the illegal drug proliferation in Mindanao.
PDEA Davao Region Director Roybel Sanchez said their suspicion on the two politicians is now undergoing validation. He said the two suspected "narco-politicians" are from the municipalities of Davao Region.
Davao City Police Director Rene Aspera, however, denied any reports of “narco-politicians” in Davao City.
Major General Carlos Holganza of the Army's 10th Infantry Division, meanwhile, said though proliferation of illegal drugs is not their main concern, they are helping the police and PDEA in the drive against illegal drugs.
He said he has known no politicians involved in narco-politics.
Earlier, the US State Department released its 2010 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report, which stated, among others, that the Philippines' drug problem continues to pose a significant national threat despite reports of a possible decline in the supply and demand of illegal drugs in parts of the country.
The report pointed out that with the upcoming 2010 elections, there is fear that illicit narcotics funds, which have evolved into a billion-dollar industry, supporting political candidates may affect election results in the Philippines. (Ben O. Tesiorna/Sunnex)