This file photo shows PDEA Director General Wilkins Villanueva attending a hearing at the Senate. INQUIRER FILE/ MARIANNE BERMUDEZ
MANILA, Philippines — Do not cast your vote on candidates who are involved in illegal drugs, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director General Wilkins Villanueva reminded the voting population on Friday.
“Dismiss candidates who are involved in illegal drug activities,” Villanueva said in a statement reminding voters for the 2022 elections. “They do not deserve your votes.”
PDEA said political aspirants who act in collusion with drug syndicates might continue to dominate the polls since drug money could fund the campaign of certain politicians seeking positions in the government in exchange for protection and self-preservation.
“Your vote is precious and please treat it that way,” Villanueva said.
“If we want to attain drug-free communities, we should opt for leaders who genuinely defend the nation from illegal drugs,” he added.
Villanueva issued the warning in light of the arrest of a mayoralty candidate and four others on Wednesday during a checkpoint operation in Mountain Province after alleged involvement in illegal drugs.
Joint elements of PDEA Regional Office-Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) conducted an operation that led to the arrest of Sonny Kalaw, a former police officer and a mayoralty candidate of Sabangan, Mountain Province along with four alleged cohorts.
Seized from them were 19 bricks of suspected dried marijuana leaves, with an estimated street value of ₱2,280,000.00, along with one black Toyota HiAce Grandia.
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