PNP to visit celebrities with drug links

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police is set to pay a visit to the homes and workplaces of celebrities reportedly linked to the illegal drug trade as part of Oplan Tokhang, PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa said yesterday.

President Duterte earlier said about 50 celebrities are included in his narco-list.

“Katukin natin sa kanya-kanyang bahay, kanya-kanyang TV station. (Sasabihan natin) surrender na kayo kasi identified kayo na user (Let’s knock on their homes, their television stations. (We’ll tell them to) surrender because you are identified as users),” Dela Rosa said in a press briefing at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

He said the PNP has conducted Oplan Tokhang – which involves visiting the homes of suspected users and pushers and asking them to change their ways – in high-end subdivisions while these celebrities are “public figures. They should be open to the public.”

Dela Rosa said they will start targeting the celebrities once the PNP receives the list from the President.

Earlier, Anti-Illegal Drug Group (AIDG) chief Senior Superintendent Albert Ignatius warned celebrities to stop using or pushing drugs.

“Once there is evidence and an opportunity, you will be arrested,” he said.

Based on AIDG records, Ferro said at least five celebrities on the list sell party drugs, particularly Ecstasy tablets, to their fellow celebrities.

He said AIDG teams are conducting surveillance on the celebrities and gathering information against them.

Last Aug. 11, Alvin Comerciante, alias Bordado, was killed when he reportedly shot it out with police operatives during a raid in San Pedro, Laguna. Police tagged Comerciante as a supplier of drugs to showbiz personalities.