Judges included in narco list

MANILA, Philippines - Aside from governors, mayors and members of Congress, judges are also in the order of battle against illegal drugs, President Duterte revealed on Friday.

Speaking at the Central Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines at Camp Lapu-Lapu in Cebu, Duterte warned he would have to kill them if they would not stop their illegal drug trade.

“These drug lords, these mayors, these governors…don’t be complacent with me, I will have you killed,” Duterte said.

“Now, if I read the names of the judges which I will – in a few hours, a few days. It’s not that I want them shamed, I do not know them. There are police officers, judges, there are congressmen. But it behooves upon me, I have the obligation to tell the Filipino people what is happening to this country,” he said.

Duterte expressed his anger that local politicians, along with the so-called narco-generals, have abused their authority by allowing themselves to be part of the well-entrenched drug syndicates operating in the country.

He said the so-called narco-politicians cannot fool him by giving excuses about their alleged involvement in the illicit drug trade.

“Do not make a fool out of me,” Duterte said, adding he was a prosecutor for 10 years and he knew how to pin down suspected drug offenders for prosecution.

Duterte said he has been updated by the concerned agencies regarding the narco list and has ordered a revalidation of the intelligence reports.

“That is why I ordered a revalidation because it would be unfair if you are a politician and you are dragged into illegal drugs, you’re finished,” Duterte said.

Duterte reiterated anew his shoot-on-sight order against local officials suspected of drug trafficking.

Among them is Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. and his son Kerwin.

Duterte confirmed he had a shoot-on-sight order against the Espinosas.

“I have ordered people to look for him and shoot on sight like a dog. That’s how I see him – a dog. You (drug traffickers) transformed people into dogs. Our sons have now lost their minds,” Duterte said. 

Following Espinosa, more local officials tagged in the supposed “narco-politicians” list presented themselves to the police.

Maguing, Lanao del Sur Mayor Mamaulan Abinal Mulok and former Marantao, Lanao del Sur mayor Muhammad Ali Abu Abinal turned themselves over to Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa.

Ampatuan, Maguindanao Mayor Rasul Sangki surrendered to the regional police last Thursday but denied any links to drug trafficking.

Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada said he supported Duterte’s “shame campaign” against his fellow mayors who are involved in drugs.

Estrada said the President is on the right track.

“If the President would not go after and shame those mayors and other elected public officials who are involved in illegal drugs, pretty soon we’ll have top government officials, even senators, who are in cahoots with drug syndicates. We don’t want our country to be run by drug lords,” Estrada said.

Estrada also said he supports the shoot-on-sight order of Duterte against the erring local officials.

“And if possible, they should fight it out with the lawmen so that the problem would be over,” he said. “I’m serious because it involves the future of young people.”

Going home

Espinosa was forced out of the PNP chief’s residence after the deadline for his son to surrender had lapsed.

PNP spokesman Senior Supt. Dionardo Carlos said Espinosa and his family left the “White House,” the official residence of the PNP chief in Camp Crame, and took the morning flight to Leyte yesterday.

“The mayor left (the) camp after no surrender of his son Kerwin transpired,” Carlos said.

Espinosa surrendered to police on Tuesday, saying he feared for his safety after Duterte threatened to shoot him for allegedly coddling his drug-dealing son.

Espinosa was under the custody of the police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and denied allegations he was into drug trafficking.

While in custody of the police, Espinosa was

allowed to stay in the White House, much to the chagrin of Dela Rosa, who was getting impatient over Kerwin’s planned surrender.

Dela Rosa said he ordered Espinosa and his family out of the White House, adding that he could no longer endure the smoking habits of his “guests.”

Dela Rosa said he was relying on Espinosa to help in the surrender of his son, setting the deadline on Friday night.

And since the deadline had lapsed, Dela Rosa said he would be sending Espinosa home.

Dela Rosa had warned Kerwin to surrender, pointing out the shoot-on-sight order of President Duterte is still in effect.

Duterte earlier bared he had a list of 27 local officials involved in the illegal drug trade and he would expose them soon. – Christina Mendez, Jaime Laude, Jose Rodel Clapano, Giovanni Nilles, Robertzon Ramirez