National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Director Oscar Albayalde expressed support to Interior undersecretary Martin Diño’s order, requiring barangay (village) officials to submit to the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) a list of suspected drug personalities and criminals in their area.
“Ako, naniniwala ako na lahat ng barangay chairman o kapitan kilala kung sino ‘yung mga nakatira sa kanilang barangay dahil tuwing eleksyon, nagha-house-to-house sila,” Albayalde said when asked whether he supports Diño’s directive in an interview with Radio Inquirer 990 AM on Friday.
READ: DILG Usec Diño to barangay execs: Submit drug list or face ax
The NCRPO chief said it was part of every barangay official’s sworn duty to report lawless individuals in their community.
“Kasama po ‘yan sa serbisyo publiko. Kaya po tayo nagpa-elect para mag-serbisyo sa publiko,” Albyalde added.
Promising to step up the involvement of barangays in the government’s campaign against illegal drugs, Diño said he would oblige all the barangays executives to submit a list of suspected drug pushers and criminals to the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
If they fail to do so, Diño said they might be given sanctions, including removal from office.
But the undersecretary for barangay affairs said he has to consult his legal team first about his new directive.
This proposal of Diño drew negative feedback from some netizens, saying unverified drug lists could lead to arrests or even killings of innocent individuals. /kga