NBI to conduct parallel probe on politicians in ‘narco list’

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will conduct a parallel investigation on politicians included in the government’s “narco list” once it is made public, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Wednesday.

“Once the list is made public, we shall request the sources of the information (Philippine National Police, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and Local Government Units) to provide us with copies of their intelligence reports,” he said.

The Justice Chief said once the reports are found to have a basis, he would direct the NBI “to further investigate, build up the proper cases and file the appropriate complaints, if warranted.”

President Rodrigo Duterte has authorized Interior Secretary Eduardo Año to release the list of politicians linked to illegal drug activities ahead of the campaign period for local bets, according to his spokesman Salvador Panelo.

READ: Duterte OKs release of ‘narco list’

The list is expected to be released next week.

Guevarra also said that wiretapped conversation gathered by a foreign government may be used as evidence in court against alleged politicians involved in the illegal drugs trade.

The DOJ chief said that while wiretapping is prohibited and cannot be used as evidence in the country, it is allowed in other countries.

“If the wiretapped conversation came from a country where wiretapping is not illegal, then it may be passed on to our government and considered admissible in Philippine courts,” he explained.

Guevarra said that only conversations wiretapped in the Philippines, which prohibit such act unless authorized by the court, cannot be used as evidence in criminal prosecution.

“If the wiretapping act involves an element performed in Philippine jurisdiction, such as bugging local phone lines, that may be considered unlawful under Philippine law and its admissibility questionable,” he said. /ee

READ: Lacson questions, slams wiretapped narco list data