64 ‘narco-politicians’ vying for reelection in May polls – PDEA chief
PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino. INQUIRER file photo / EDWIN BACASMAS
MANILA, Philippines — Approximately 64 politicians allegedly involved in illegal drugs are gunning for reelection in the midterm polls on May 13, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) chief Director General Aaron Aquino revealed Tuesday.
Aquino said the 64 politicians are among the 82 included in the government’s drug watch list, which includes mayors, vice mayors, governors, vice governors, and congressmen.
“I think it’s 64. They filed their COCs (certificate of candidacies) and the remaining 18 decided not to file [their COCs],” Aquino told reporters when asked on the number of politicians in the narco-list who are seeking another term for their respective posts.
READ: Politicians in ‘narcolist’ down to 82, says PDEA chief
But he also said that he believes there could be more politicians linked to illegal drugs than those already in the watch list.
“[There are] some politicians na yumayaman. Hindi natin alam kung anong rason pero again sabi ko 82 lang iyan but I personally know there are more,” he said.
(There are some politicians who are getting rich. We do not know the reason but again like what I have said, there are only 82 but I personally know there are more.)
Although he revealed the figure, Aquino maintained he disapproves making the list public before the midterm elections.
READ: PDEA chief maintains stand against release of ‘narco list’
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año said he wants to make public the drug watch list within the election period to guide voters on who not to support in the upcoming polls. The Philippine National Police supports this proposal, but said the list must have been properly validated.
READ: PNP chief backs release of ‘narco list’
But Aquino, who leads the agency at the forefront of government’s war on drugs, admitted that validating the list is “really hard” and this is one of the reasons why he does not agree on publicizing the list.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said DILG might release the drug watch list to the public by next week. According to Panelo, Año already received the go signal for such a move from President Rodrigo Duterte. /kga
