ILOILO City – The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) is wary of candidates in the upcoming elections seeking financial support from drug syndicates.
It’s usually a quid pro quo, according to PDEA – drug syndicates expect protection once the candidates they support wins.
“’Yan ang ating tinututukan,” said PDEA Region 6 director Alex Tablate.
“Once may natanggap tayo na information, we will investigate thoroughly kasi baka paninira lang,” he added.
But if there is evidence and witnesses, “we will file charges,” said Tablate.
For its part, the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) warned candidates coddling private armed groups or criminals. It is wary that these groups would be used to harass or intimidate voters or supporters of rival candidates.
Just last week, the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) warned candidates against giving support to the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).
“Anyone extending support to the communists will be held liable for violating the Anti-Terrorism Financing Act of 2012 and the Anti-Terror Act of 2020. So do not deal with the CCP-NPA. Do not give anything to them, and do not make alliances with them,” said Assistant Provincial Prosecutor Flosemer Chris Gonzales, RTF-ELCAC spokesperson./PN
