Rody obtains updated list of narco pols, generals

MANILA, Philippines -  An updated list of politicians and generals involved in the illegal drug trade in the country is in the hands of President Duterte.

In a speech before prosecutors in Pampanga the other day, Duterte identified some names in his narco list and reiterated that he is hell-bent on stopping illegal drugs despite reports of summary killings and human rights violations in his war on drugs.

“Do not f*** with me. Kaya maraming pulis na mamatay… bahala ka (that’s why many policemen are killed. It’s up to you). Riarta, Acosta, Aballe, Sendita, Regions 13, 12, 12,” he said.

Duterte also directed the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces to double check the names of personalities, including those in local government units, barangays and the police.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) is also involved in verifying information.

“Ibig sabihin eh hindi kita masali diyan kung walang three validations: DILG, police and military. Minsan pag diskumpiyado ako, nandiyan pa ang PDEA (It means that you will not be included without three validations. If I am still not satisfied, the PDEA is here to help check),” Duterte said.

Concerned agencies updated the President’s narco list on March 30, a copy of which was also given to Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez.

“Binigay ko na ito sa Speaker, hindi ko binigay sa Supreme Court, baka sabihin nila na ano (I gave it to the Speaker, not to the Supreme Court, they might say something),” the President said.

In a speech at the AFP Western Command in Palawan yesterday, Duterte reiterated that his campaign against illegal drugs would not stop until the end of his term.

“Hindi maghinto ang patayan diyan (the killings will not stop). It (drug trade) will just destroy the country. I am telling you, it will destroy the country,” he said.

“How many of them bangag na (went crazy)? They kill, rape and because they are already crazy, they don’t go to jail. You know, before you can try a person, he must be of sound mind to discern what is right and what is wrong,” he added.

Duterte again invoked his mandate to save the youth and to protect the Filipino people, dismissing concerns raised by the European Union, United Nations and the United States over summary killings in his drug war.

“The Constitution only says that I, the president, must preserve and protect the Filipino nation… Wala akong pakialam diyan kung anong gusto nila (I don’t care what they want),” he added.