BACOLOD City – Four village officials in this city allegedly have links to the rampant illegal drug trade.
Lieutenant Colonel Ariel Pico, spokesperson of the Bacolod City Police Office, bared this on Monday, saying these officials are under investigation and surveillance over their involvement in narcotics and other illegal activities.
For the time being, Pico said, the identities of these individuals are being withheld.
“Our number one priority is the campaign against illegal drugs. We are not the judge here, but we are appealing to those who are included in the drug watchlist to surrender to authorities,” Pico stressed.
For his part, Mayor Evelio Leonardia is hoping that authorities could provide the city government a copy of the list so they can make their assessment.
“Depende na ina sa natungdan, kabalo na sila kon sila na ukon indi,” added Leonardia.
He also warned those who are involved in the illegal drug trade to “better run for their lives.”
On Saturday, village councilman Romeo Canlas Jr. of Barangay 2, was shot to death by unidentified men while having a drinking session with Barangay 26 councilman Reno Delarna.
Pico said as of now, there are no persons of interest in Canlas’ murder but they are looking into three possible motives in the killing of the village official.
He revealed that Canlas had been included in Police Station 2’s drugs watchlist since 2018.
But they would not automatically conclude that this was the reason behind the killing, said Pico.
The incident may have been sparked by a personal grudge or politics, particularly since the victim was the neighborhood’s top kagawad, he added./PN
