THE chief of the anti-narcotics agency in Northern Mindanao has issued a warning to all so-called ‘narco-politicians’ in the region for them to end their involvement in the illegal drug activities.
Wilkins Villanueva, regional director of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Northern Mindanao (PDEA), said there are indeed narco-politicians in the region, although he declined to identify them.
Villanueva made the statement during the signing of the joint Drug Personality List of 2018, the compilation of all drug personalities jointly prepared by PDEA-10 and the Police Regional Office-Northern Mindanao (PRO) on Monday, February 26.
But Villanueva said the politicians who are involved in the illegal drug trade are in the list compiled for President Rodrigo Duterte and not in the list compiled by PRO and PDEA.
"Naa ta narco-politicians pero naa sa PRRD (Duterte) list wala diri sa atong joint compilation," Villanueva said.
The anti-narcotics agency and the police vowed to go after drug personalities including narco-politicians who remain active in the business.
Villanueva said some elected officials in the region who were figured in the Duterte list have appeared before the PDEA to clear their names.
The PDEA chief said politicians who wish to clear their names from alleged involvement will have to undergo adjudication process.
"Ang uban nagduol na sa PDEA aron i-clear nga wala sila ma-involve ug politika ang hinungdan sa ilang pagka-apil sa listahan," Villanueva added.
"Moagi ang narco-politician sa adjudication process with PNP before sila ma-clear," he added.
Meanwhile, PRO regional director Chief Superintendent Timoteo Pacleb said unannounced drug testing for all policemen in the region will continue.
He said counter intelligence against policemen who are believed to be involved in the drug trade is also being strengthened.
"If they are found positive na involved sila sa illegal drug activities they will really face dismissal from the police service," Pacleb said.