Celebs in drugs watchlist won’t be named without Duterte’s approval

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang on Tuesday said the list of celebrities who were allegedly involved in the illegal drugs will not be released without verification and President Rodrigo Duterte’s approval.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said this after the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA bared that at least 31 celebrities are included in the drugs watchlist.

PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino said that some of the celebrities are drug pushers while the others are users of cocaine, shabu and party drugs.

READ: PDEA chief says ‘celebrity’ pushers in drugs watchlist

Earlier, Duterte himself revealed the names of 46 politicians with supposed drug links during a peace and order council meeting in Davao City.

Such will not be the case, however, for celebrities in the watchlist as PDEA needs to secure Duterte’s clearance first.

“I think the PDEA will have to get permission from the President before they can do that,” Panelo told reporters in Malacañang, adding that the list should undergo validation first.

Panelo also said that charges should be filed against the celebrities if there is enough evidence against them. / gsg

READ: Duterte exposes 46 ‘narco politicians’