PDEA chief maintains stand against release of ‘narco list’

MANILA, Philippines — Amid reports that the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) would release next week the “narco list” that identifies politicians involved in illegal drugs, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) chief Director General Aaron Aquino on Tuesday reiterated his stand against such a move.

Aquino told reporters that he was maintaining his stance on the issue.

From the beginning, “I don’t want the list to be revealed or disclosed,” he said.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said that Interior Secretary Eduardo Año might release the list next week, in time for the campaign season for the May elections.

Panelo said that President Rodrigo Duterte already gave the green light for the release of the list.

While stating his opposition to the list’s release, Aquino, who leads the front-line agency in the government’s war on drugs, said he would abide by any decision of the President.

Meanwhile, Aquino revealed that the watchlist had been narrowed down from 83 to 82 with the removal of a mayor who was arrested for murder and illegal possession of firearms. /cbb