200 gov’t execs busted for drugs in 2015

PDEA Director General Arturo Cacdac Jr. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

CLOSE to 200 government personnel, including elected officials, were arrested in the past year for alleged links to the illegal drug trade, according to Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) chief Arturo Cacdac Jr.

Cacdac nevertheless said it would be difficult to monitor drug money being funneled to candidates’ campaigns for the May elections.

In an interview at the Senate Tuesday, Cacdac told reporters that narco politics existed in the country as shown by the arrest of elected officials, down to the barangay level, for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

“I will not deny [that], because there are elected officials who violate Republic Act No. 9165, but again I will have to limit my statements to those who were arrested. It’s difficult to mention those who haven’t been caught because we would become vulnerable,” he said.

Cacdac said the PDEA was able to arrest more government employees involved in illegal drugs in 2015 by declaring them high-value targets.

Last year, 191 government personnel were arrested for alleged links to the illegal drug trade, an increase from the 180 or so officials caught in 2014.

The government personnel, including elected local officials, were drug dealers, Cacdac added.