PDEA files first case vs poll bet in ‘narcolist’

PDEA-NCR director Ismael Fajardo files charges against Barangay Tinajeros chair Alvin Mañalac.—NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) launched its first legal salvo against barangay officials in its recently released “narcolist,” with the filing of criminal and administrative complaints against a reelectionist barangay chair in Malabon City.

On Friday, Alvin Mañalac, chair of Barangay Tinajeros, was the first to face complaints filed by the PDEA in the Ombudsman, of 207 barangay officials listed as being “involved in illegal drug activities” nationwide.

The narcolist was released to the public two weeks ago, ostensibly to warn voters about possible narcotics-linked reelectionists in time for the barangay elections on Monday.

In a press conference, the PDEA said Mañalac was liable for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, in particular for trading and manufacture of narcotics, for being a “protector,” and for maintenance of a drug den, after a clandestine laboratory operated by an international drugs syndicate, was raided  in Tinajeros on April 13.

1st ecstasy lab shut down

The laboratory produced party drug ecstasy, and was considered by the PDEA as the first ecstasy drug laboratory shut down in the Philippines.

“The 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,” said PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino in a statement.

Mañalac also faced complaints for failing to include the personalities arrested during the April raid in its barangay “watch list” which only detailed users and not pushers, and for declaring their barangay hall as drug-free.

For this, the PDEA accused the chair of falsification of documents, gross negligence and dereliction of duty, gross neglect of duty, grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, the Local Government Code of 1991.

Guide for voting

“This is to let the public know about the involvement in the illegal drug trade of  barangay leaders seeking  reelection, and will serve as a guide to the voting public on whom they shall entrust their votes,” Aquino said, of the filing of complaints against those on the narcolist.

PDEA National Capital Region Director Ismael Fajardo Jr. said that at least another barangay official in Metro Manila  in the narcolist would face the same fate in the coming weeks.