MANILA – The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) is still waiting for President Rodrigo Duterte’s go-signal before it releases the names of local government officials linked to the illegal drug trade.
PDEA head Aaron Aquino said they have a list of 93 drug-linked local officials – including mayors, vice mayors, congressmen, governors, and vice governors.
Aquino added that the list would be made public if the President orders it so.
“We have 93 names, from vice mayor up – vice mayor, mayor, congressman, governor, vice governor. I have 93 in the narco list,” said Aquino. “I’ll wait for the order of the President.”
Aside from the local government officials, Aquino added that once verified, they would also release the names of 274 more barangay officials linked to illegal drug activities.
On Monday, PDEA released a list of names of 207 barangay officials who allegedly involved with prohibited drugs.
Of the number, 90 were village chiefs while the remaining 117, village councilmen.
PDEA released the list two weeks before the May 14 synchronized barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.
“Meron po tayong principle na ‘public office is a public trust.’ Kailangan lang po sigurong malaman ng mga taumbayan, lalung-lalo na po sa mga residente ng barangay, na malaman po nila kung sino pong ie-elect nila,” Aquino said.
He added that PDEA will file “airtight cases” against erring village officials “in due time.”/PN
