MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday said it will soon release the list of politicians who were involved in illegal drug trade, just in time for the 2019 midterm elections.
PNP spokesman Bernard Banac said in a television interview that the “narco-politician list” is still being verified by the authorities to make sure all of those listed are really into illegal drug trade.
“That list is still ongoing, of course the validation is still being processed, and our authorities would release that very soon,” Banac said in an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel.
Banac added that the PNP is looking into all pieces of evidence and statements and is also digging deep if narco-politicians are using the drug money for their campaign expenses.
“There has to be evidence. There has to be a violation of the law and that’s the only time when we can file the case against them. That’s the only time we can reveal the facts of the case, the people involved,” he said.
Department of Interior and Local Government secretary Eduardo Año has earlier pushed for the release of list to serve as guide for voters but President Rodrigo Duterte has yet to give the go signal on it.
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency said the list currently has the names of 83 politicians./PN
