8 Central Luzon execs under investigation over drug links

THE Police Regional Office (PRO) in Central Luzon is conducting investigation against at least eight local government executives in the region over their alleged involvement in illegal drugs, official said.

"Sa mayor more or less, five; sa congressmen, dalawa; vice-governor, isa," PRO-Central Luzon director Chief Superintendent Aaron Aquino said Tuesday during a press conference in Camp Olivas, Pampanga.

Aquino refused to give the names of the politicians.

Dela Rosa said the names of the politicians are included in the drug watch list of President Rodrigo Duterte.

"Tignan sa listahan, andun sa listahan 'yan. Bina-validate pa natin 'yan," he said.

Meanwhile, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Ronald Dela Rosa said Police Chief Superintendent Amador Corpuz, the former police director of Tarlac, will replace Aquino who is set to retire on September 6.

Earlier, Duterte appointed Aquino as the new chief of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to replace former police general Isidro Lapeña who was appointed as new commissioner of the Bureau of Customs.

"General Lapeña, General Aquino, I know them from head to foot, kasama ko sila for a very long time, naging boss ko sila, alam ko kung paano sila magtrabaho. I expect them to maintain the trust and confidence na binigay sa amin ng Presidente," Dela Rosa said.

"I expect more, brighter future in the drug situation in the Philippines. Nakikita ko na siguradong maganda ang takbo ng kampanya laban sa droga,” he added.

Dela Rosa said with Lapeña at the customs, he is confident that drug smuggling at the said agency will stop while the coordination of the PDEA and PNP will be boosted with Aquino on it. (SunStar Philippines)