Bato urges voters to shun bets involved in narc trade

CEBU CITY—Philippine National Police Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa has asked voters not to support barangay and youth candidates who have links to illegal drugs.

“Please do not vote for these kinds of people so the drug problem in our country will end,” Dela Rosa said in Cebuano during a news conference after the launching of the 26th Defense and Sporting Arms Show here on Thursday.

“[W]e could not stop them from seeking reelection. The PNP has the list of incumbent barangay captains and councilmen who are into the drug trade. (But) I believe the people know who among their officials are involved in the illegal drug trade,” he said.

The barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections will be held on May 14.

The gun ban will be implemented during the election period from April 14 to May 21. —ADOR VINCENT S. MAYOL