DILG readies dismissal, complaints vs alleged Manila ‘drug queen’

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said Thursday it is preparing suspension and dismissal papers as well as complaints against former barangay official Guia Gomez Castro, the alleged Manila-based “drug queen.”

According to DILG spokesman and Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya, Castro “technically… is a barangay official” because “she took her oath” even if she did not assume her village chair post after winning the barangay polls last year.

“Since technically she is a barangay official, the DILG is now preparing for her suspension and dismissal kasi she took her oath,” Malaya told reporters in an interview at Sulo Riviera Hotel in Quezon City where a DILG forum on reforms in the 1987 Consitution was held.

Malaya said they will also file administrative complaints, including grave neglect of duty or grave misconduct, against Castro at the Office of the Ombudsman.

“Either grave neglect of duty or grave misconduct so that can lead to dismissal of service. We can file as many cases against her because she is involved in illegal drugs,” Malaya said in Filipino.

Castro, barangay captain of Barangay 484 Zone 48 in Sampaloc, Manila, left the country for Bangkok, Thailand on September 21 then flew to Taiwan and then to the United States on September 25. The Department of Justice said the US has already canceled Castro’s visa.

READ: ‘Drug Queen’s’ US visa has been canceled–DOJ

Citing records from DILG Field Office in Manila City and DILG’s Barangay National Operations Office, Malaya said Castro’s name was placed in their master list as an active barangay captain.

Malaya noted that they discovered in government records that Castro is still a public official but is under absent without official leave (AWOL) status.

“She is still a public official but she is absent without leave, therefore, she is under the authority of the DILG,” Malaya said.

Castro filed a leave of absence from April 25 to June 25 this year during then Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada’s term, Malaya said.

READ: BREAKING: MPD chief names Manila ‘drug queen’ 

/kga