Drugs for election funds? PNP probing local execs

MANILA, Philippines — Several local chief executives are under investigation for drug trafficking to finance their campaigns in the midterm elections in 2025, the chief anti-narcotics officer of the Philippine National Police (PNP) revealed yesterday.

Citing intelligence reports, PNP Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) director Brig. Gen. Eleazar Matta warned that money sourced from illegal drugs would be used in the upcoming elections, with local chief executives as perpetrators.

“We are validating and conducting intelligence operations against those local government executives involved in the distribution or proliferation of illegal drugs in our country,” Matta told a news briefing at Camp Crame.

He said the politicians plan to use the drug money to fund their election campaign.

Matta said an informant told the PDEG that one mayor on the watch list procures about three kilos of shabu every two weeks, which is delivered to the community.

“Our informant has positively identified this mayor,” Matta said.

Former president Rodrigo Duterte’s controversial war on drugs had listed certain politicians and other government officials as high-value targets.

Asked if corrupt local chief executives involved in illegal drugs are back to their old ways, Matta replied, mostly in Filipino, that it had become “business as usual, so we have to stop it.”

He stressed that their list is separate from the narcolist of Duterte.

Matta refused to give a ballpark figure on the number of local politicians currently being monitored, a majority of whom are mayors and their associates.

“There are mayors, or protégés of local politicians identified with the mayor,” he said.

Asked from what regions the politicians are located, Matta said they are all over the country.

Informants told the PDEG quantities of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu will be smuggled into the country through seaside entry or being floated at sea.

The illegal drugs will then be picked up for distribution in communities, through the local officials.

Matta said they are sharing the information with the public to make them aware that some local politicians are benefiting from illegal drugs.

“Watch out for the mayors, their politicians,” the official said.

Apart from the midterm elections, drug syndicates are also intensifying their operations due to the upcoming Yuletide season wherein people are expected to spend more money.

The PDEG is also on tight watch for a new and cheaper version of shabu that is being introduced by Chinese drug syndicates.

Matta said the drug is in liquid form and has lesser effects on the neurological system, making the user less unhinged.

The drug is then converted into crystal form by drug suspects in areas such as condominium units.

Matta could not give an estimate how much the drug costs, but a kilo of shabu has a street value of P6.8 million.

Meanwhile, the Commission on Elections said local officials implicated in illegal drug operations but have intention to run for any elective post may continue to do so.

“This is not a ground to refuse acceptance of certificates of candidacy or disqualification until there is final judgment of conviction,” Chairman George Garcia said in a Viber message.

Evidence needed

Police Lt. Col. Jovie Espenido will need to provide evidence to back his claims about the previous administration’s campaign against illegal drugs, House quad committee co-chair and Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers said.

Barbers, chairman of the House committee on dangerous drugs, said Espenido still has to substantiate his testimony, particularly the supposed existence of a system to reward police officers during the so-called drug war of the Duterte administration.

“We listened and let him speak. Now that he was able to say it, the burden of proof is with him. He has to substantiate this with evidence so we can write it in the committee report,” Barbers said in Filipino on “Storycon” over One News on Friday.

“His statement that illegal gambling money was used as a reward for extrajudicial killings, so far it’s still just a story… so we will wait if there is a member of the PNP, whether retired or active, who can corroborate it or (if there is) anyone who can actually support that with evidence,” he added.

Barbers maintained that they will not let politics taint the ongoing investigation of the quad committee, which was formed to look into alleged extrajudicial killings, the war against illegal drugs and the proliferation of Philippine offshore gaming operators during the previous administration.

He said their witnesses have been thoroughly evaluated and were required to issue a sworn affidavit to back their testimonies.

“Absent the sworn affidavit, we will not entertain them,” he said.

Barbers also said that all lawmakers, including Senators Ronald dela Rosa and Bong Go, are welcome to attend the ongoing hearings of the quad committee.

He said both Dela Rosa and Go have been invited to attend the hearings, but that they will respect, out of interparliamentary courtesy, if the two decide not to accept their invitation.

“They’re members of Congress, they can come and join us anytime,” said Barbers.

Both senators were implicated by Espenido as playing key roles in the war on drugs, including implementing an alleged reward and quota system. They have since denied the policeman’s allegations.

Barbers said they also invited Duterte, but they will respect it if he decides not to attend. He said they also invited General Matta.

Matta was among the five former and current police officials, including Dela Rosa and former PNP chief Oscar Albayalde, who have been tagged as suspects in the International Criminal Court investigation.

The next quad committee hearing is on Tuesday. – Rhodina Villanueva, Janvic Mateo