Duterte to name ‘narco-mayors’ soon

MANILA, Philippines – After shaming the “narco generals,” President Duterte will soon reveal the local officials involved in illegal drugs.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Ismael Sueño said the President is still validating the list of local officials involved in the illegal drug trade.

He said the President would like to name first the “big ones” or the “narco mayors” who have greater involvement.

“I clarified with President Duterte (about the 23 mayors involved in illegal drugs), we’re still in the process of validation. He has the list but he is still choosing who are the big ones. Remember, he said earlier there were 35, now it is down to 23,” Sueno said during an interview over dzRH yesterday.

“So he is still choosing who… he will announce perhaps within this week who they are,” he added.

Sueño noted the President, a former prosecutor, is looking into the possibility of filing charges of neglect of duty against the local chief executives at the DILG.

“In our Cabinet meeting, President Duterte told us initially these mayors, barangay executives can be charged for serious neglect of duty at DILG level. We will follow due process. If barangay captain is involved, then we can file case at Sangguniang Bayan or municipal level, then the mayor may suspend them,” he explained.

According to Sueño, Duterte will reveal more names in the coming weeks, including more police officials.

Last week, Duterte named five police generals who allegedly acted as protectors and benefited from the illegal drug operations.

“As he said, we are waging war versus drug lords because they destroy thousands of lives of people. He wishes they won’t surrender so there is ground to neutralize them,” Sueño said.

“Perhaps more names of police officers (will be revealed) aside from five police generals,” he added.

Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said a memorandum circular directing an investigation of local chief executives for possible neglect of duty was among the proposals floated during last Monday’s Cabinet meeting.

“They may be investigated for serious neglect of duty if found to have neglected their tasks,” Abella said in a press conference yesterday.

“The incidence usually happens in the barangay level… It’s basically area management. You are referring to area management. If this is your area, that’s your area of responsibility,” he added.

Abella said the investigation would be conducted by the DILG. He could not say, however, when the memorandum circular would be released.

“But it will be soon,” Abella said.

“They will go through their own due process. But basically they’re bringing it down to that level.”

Presidential directive

Duterte earlier told lawmakers that at least 35 local executives are involved in illegal drugs. He vowed to reveal the names of the local officials once he validates the information linking them to the narcotics trade.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald de la Rosa said Duterte would name at least 23 mayors who are protecting drug lords and pushers.

At the same time, Sueño urged drug offenders to surrender and help authorities arrest the major players in the illegal drug trade.

“I advise them (drug dependents and pushers) to secretly give tips for their own safety,” Sueno said.

“We have IAS (Internal Affairs Service) of PNP looking into these reports. We’re strengthening this department so that we will know if proper police procedures were followed.”

Critics said the daily killings of drug offenders are getting out of hand.

A number of lawmakers, the Commission on Human Rights, anti-crime groups and Amnesty International raised alarm bells on the increasing death toll of suspected drug offenders in supposed shootouts with the police.

Lawmakers led by Sen. Leila de Lima, who served as justice secretary of the previous administration, wanted a congressional inquiry into the killings.

Solicitor General Jose Calida defended the police, whom he said were merely following the presidential directive in the all-out war against illegal drugs.

Calida went on to criticize De Lima for initiating the Senate probe, saying there is no basis. Presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo added a congressional inquiry should not be based on mere conjectures or insinuation.

Abella echoed the President’s instructions for the police to conduct all-out war against drugs. The PNP and other law enforcement agencies should be given the presumption that they are doing their jobs with regularity, he said.

“The word is not really arrogant. I believe the SolGen is simply exercising his right, his duty as Solicitor General and lawyer for the government of the Philippines to make sure that all things are processed properly and the police, the police come under his purview,” Abella said.

“So, he was simply speaking in behalf of his authority and right to be able to exercise his role,” he added.

Sought for comment if Duterte’s stern warning earlier that Congress should not step in the way of his doing business in government would mean that members of the Cabinet and the PNP will not be attending Senate inquiries, Abella said the guidance was for the police to simply do their jobs.

Abella also skirted the issue when asked if the President will allow top police officials to face the Senate probe, if it is pursued during the upcoming 17th Congress.

“I’m not sure if it’s a directive not to attend but basically what he’s saying is that they should pursue their job, their task, as fully as they can,” he said.

“I’m not sure. Like I said it’s not a question that he will tell them not to go or go. But basically… really just encouraging them to pursue their task as fully as they can,” Abella said.

Abella also debunked claims by the CHR that the President has double standards in his exacting justice and in trying to stop the drug menace.

“I think in his past actions, history has proven, based on results, that he uses one single standard. Maybe just in the process of implementation, but he uses one single standard, from top to bottom, he does the same thing,” Abella said, without elaborating. – With Christina Mendez, Alexis Romero