PNP links 10 more Central Luzon pols, 100 cops to drugs

Drug users and pushers undergo briefing and orientation for rehabilitation. (RADYO INQUIRER FILE PHOTO)

TALAVERA, Nueva Ecija — The regional police office in Central Luzon has been validating information on the alleged involvement of at least 10 mayors and vice mayors in the region in the illegal drugs trade, a ranking police official disclosed Thursday.

Chief Supt. Aaron Aquino, regional police chief, said the names on the list they possessed were on top of the two mayors already named on President Duterte’s first drug list. Aquino did not say how many on the regional drug watch list are from Nueva Ecija.

The new names, he said, might be included in President Duterte’s next drug list.

Aquino made the disclosure after delivering a speech before 1,122 drug pushers and users who submitted themselves for rehabilitation and took their oath at Talavera National High School gym here.

Besides the politicians, Aquino said, some 100 policemen of varied ranks have also been put under surveillance and investigation.

He lauded Mayor Nerivi Santod-Martinez for providing a rehabilitation facility where drug suspects who have surrendered could undergo activities on spiritual and skills development, and on social responsibility.

In an apparent scare stunt, Aquino told those undergoing rehabilitation, including women, that anti-drug enforcers would soon be equipped with high-powered guns in their operations. “Hindi lang 9mm,  M16 na ang tatama sa katawan nila (Bodies will be hit by shots from M-16 firearms, not just 9mm),” Aquino said referring to suspects who would fight with the enforcers. “Gusto nyo mabasa sa diyaryo na pulis pinatay ng pusher? Hindi kami papayag ng ganun  (Would you want to read in the newspapers that a cop was killed by a pusher?  We won’t allow that to happen),” he vowed.  SFM/rga