Political 'heavyweights' in narco list – Eduardo Año

MANILA, Philippines — Interior Secretary Eduardo Año is keen on releasing the narco list for the midterm elections, citing political “heavyweights” in Cebu and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

In a press briefing yesterday, Año said the narco list, containing 77 names, should be released to guide the public on who to vote for in next year’s polls, as many of the politicians listed are running.

“In the list, there are mayors, vice governors, congressmen and municipal councilors. A lot of them are still running,” Año said in Filipino.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) chief said the disclosure of the narco list would help the public in making informed choices at the polls.

He cited concerns over narco politicians with private armies in the ARMM.

“The heavyweights that we have seen are in Cebu and the ARMM. In the ARMM, those involved have private armies, that is why the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will take the lead if there will be counteractions. In Talitay, Maguindanao, there are many, even in Lanao del Sur,” he said.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) is the one keeping hold of the narcolist, which cannot be released “without tacit approval from the President,” according to Año.

He said some political parties have refused to field candidates who are allegedly involved in illegal drugs and urged others to do the same.

Año added that validation on the local officials in the narcolist is continuously done by the PDEA, Philippine National Police, AFP and National Intelligence Coordinating Agency.

The  possible release of the narcolist would be hand in hand with the building up and filing of cases against them, the DILG chief assured.

“It’s better that we do both. In disclosing, it is better for us to have information and knowledge on who to vote for. But the filing and buildup must continue. They should be held accountable under the law,” he added.

There could be consequences with the release of the narcolist, according to Año, as they could cover up their tracks and maybe buy and kill witnesses.

“What I want is before releasing (the list), the warrant should be out immediately. In the legal aspect, there are many challenges, but we are committed and we should make sure that we will win in this fight,” he said.

PDEA director general Aaron Aquino had earlier said that six local officials – five mayors and a vice-mayor – would be delisted from the narcolist.

They were recommended for removal after validation by authorities, which revealed that they are no longer involved in illegal drugs.

Originally, 93 names were in the narcolist but 10 of the politicians had been either killed or arrested in law enforcement operations or died of natural causes.

‘Very satisfied’

Meanwhile, Año is “very satisfied” with the effort of local government units (LGUs) in helping out in the administration’s anti-illegal drug campaign.

The DILG chief said he is happy with the commitment of LGUs, especially in the creation of their anti-drug abuse councils that complements the national government’s war on drugs.

The DILG yesterday awarded 241 LGUs it deemed high-performing on the campaign against illegal drugs.

Twenty-one LGUs got a perfect score in the judging and will receive P250,000 each as incentive.

Some of the criteria for judging included the functionality of the anti-drug abuse council, allocation of funding and implementation of anti-drug programs and drug-clearing operations.

“We can see that we are having good milestones and achievements in the war against drugs,” Año said, adding that he would push for a law that will institutionalize the anti-drug abuse council awards, similar to the seal of good local governance.

He said there is still a big fight ahead of the government as it aims to eradicate the problem of illegal drugs before the end of the current administration.

“With our whole government approach together with the PDEA, the Dangerous Drugs Board and other government departments, we have good prospects of winning this war within the term of President Duterte,” Año said.