WILL BE GIVEN DUE PROCESS. Alex Tablate, officer-in-charge of PDEA 6, on Tuesday (March 5, 2015) says the 13 alleged 'narco-politicians' in Western Visayas will go through due process. (File photo)
ILOILO CITY -- The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 6 (Western Visayas) has assured that the 13 alleged “narco-politicians” in the region would go through due process.
"Tagging them as narco-politicians does not mean that they will be immediately picked up by the law enforcers. We have a process to follow and we assure them that it will be applied. The justice system is working,” said Alex Tablate, PDEA-6 officer-in-charge, in a phone interview on Tuesday.
Although he refused to name the 13, Tablate noted that seven of them are seeking positions from vice mayor and up in the May 2019 polls.
Most of the politicians are drug protectors, he said, adding that even if they are not directly involved in drug transactions, once PDEA finds evidence against them, the agency can file charges against them.
The PDEA or the Philippine National Police can file cases against drug protectors, as it is covered by Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, he said.
On the view that revealing the names of “narco-politicians” before the election would degrade those who are seeking government seats, Tablate said he believes the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has its reasons.
He said that narco-politicians have “their own right to air their sentiments in the proper forum.”
“As far as I’m concerned, if there’s enough evidence, then we will file a case. That’s how to look at it in a logical manner,” he said.
Tablate added that President Rodrigo Duterte’s sole purpose is to overcome the illegal drugs problem in the country, which could worsen if not given attention.
“At the end of the day, we are doing this for the country, for the next generation to come,” he said.
Malacañang is intent on allowing the DILG and the PDEA to release of the names of alleged “narco-politicians” before the start of the campaign season for local candidates on March 29, despite criticisms it would violate the right to be presumed innocent. (PNA)
