PDEA files charges vs. Malabon brgy official on drug list

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has filed criminal charges against the first barangay official on its drug list.

PDEA regional director for National Capital Region (NCR) Ismael Fajardo filed the charges against Alvin Mañalac, barangay captain of Brgy. Tinajeros in Malabon City before the Office of the Ombudsman on Friday.

Fajardo said the charges against the official stemmed from the discovery of a drug den in his barangay last April 13, 2018.

“Failure of Mr. Mañalac, as barangay chairman to identify pushers and users in his barangay prior to the search warrant implementation constitutes an act of being a protector or coddler,” Fajardo said.

According to PDEA, Mañalac may be held liable for violation of Republic Act 9165 or “The Comprehensive Dangerous Acts of 2002.”

Mañalac is also facing charges for violation of Article 171 (falsification by public officer, employee or notary) of the Revised Penal Code; gross negligence and dereliction of duty under Section 60 of Republic Act 7160 (Local Government Code of 1991), gross neglect of duty, grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, PDEA said.

In addition, Mañalac also violated Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) Regulation No. 2 Series of 2004 when he declared his office at Barangay Tinajeros as a “Drug-Free Workplace” in the absence of a Drug-Free Workplace Committee and for his failure to submit documentary requirements for application of a drug-free status.

DILG undersecretary for barangay affairs Martin Diño said they will investigate or file charges against barangay officials who will fail to identify the drug users in their community through the list of Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC), or a watchlist of residents linked to drugs.

“Dapat on top of the situation ang barangay….Thirteen years ako naging barangay captain kung hindi mo alam ang nangyayari sa barangay mo, inutil ka. It’s either involved ka kaya wala sa listahan pag nag raid ang pulis or PDEA at nag refuse ang barangay official para samahan ang law enforcer, ma-suspend sila hanggang matanggal sila sa pwesto,” he said.

“Araw-araw pagdating sa opisina nirereport na sa amin yan. Sinabi nga sa inyo ultimong tsinelas na mawala sa barangay alam ng kapitan yan. Ganun kabigat ang intelligence sa barangay,” he said.

Diño stressed that barangay officials should be aware of the drug situation in their barangay.

PDEA released the names of 207 barangay officials allegedly linked to illegal drugs last April 30.    /muf