BY RUBY P. SILUBRICO
ILOILO City – Village and other government officials engaged in the illegal drug trade and who think of themselves as “untouchable” are mistaken.
“We will arrest and jail them,” said Regional Director Paul Ledesma of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) following the arrest of Dugwacan barangay captain Roger Belarde in Banate, Iloilo.
Ledesma said one’s being an elected official won’t shield him or her from prosecution for criminal offenses.
Belarde was arrested with his wife Respe and nephew Richie.
PDEA recovered from Belarde 11 sachets of shabu and an unlicensed 12-gauge shot gun.
Belarde is the ninth barangay captain in Region 6 arrested since last year for illegal drugs.
Ledesma expressed support for the imposition of the death penalty on convicted drug traffickers./PN
