Gatchalian to DDB: File cases against ‘narcopols’ instead of baring ‘narcolist’

Instead of releasing the list of “narco-politicians” before the 2019 midterm polls, the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) should file criminal and administrative cases against these unscrupulous politicians, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said Wednesday.

“If there is solid evidence to pin down these narco-politicians, then the DDB should by all means file cases against them. Narcopols are unfit for public office and should be thrown in jail,” Gatchalian said in a statement.

The senator stressed that simply releasing the so-called “narcolist” may not be a wise move, citing how “unreliable the intel” on these lists can be.

“Releasing an unverified narcolist which is unsupported by evidence will unfairly prejudice the named personalities. It may even put their lives in danger. This is something that should be avoided,” he continued.

DDB chair Catalino Cuy bared this plan on Monday to help voters in the upcoming elections.

Cuy noted that his agency also did this during the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections in May.

Eighty-five politicians, including mayors and vice mayors, vice governors and governors, and House members, were included in the narcolist, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency earlier said.  /muf

READ: Sotto warns vs use of DDB drug list for polls