‘Not yet time to release barangay narco list’

MANILA, Philippines — Days after ordering the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to release the barangay narco list, President Duterte said it was not yet time to reveal the names of village officials with alleged ties to illegal drug syndicates.

“Not yet. It is not time. And I have to get back all of those who want to come back,” the President said in a press conference yesterday in Davao City.

Duterte was asked for his specific directives to PDEA on the release of the narco list. He did not elaborate on why it was still premature to release the list.

The list reportedly contains the names of about 9,000 barangay captains.

Duterte, whose crackdown on illegal drugs has left more than 4,000 suspected drug offenders dead, reiterated that he would not allow criminals to destroy the country.

“Criminal groups who are into murder for hire. Even the policemen in Manila – I will be harsh,” he said.

“Do not count on human rights. It cannot protect you at all. Because I would consider it that you are destroying my country. And if you are destroying my country, I will really kill you,” he added.

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has urged the Duterte administration to be discerning in disclosing information about the drug list and to uphold due process and the presumption of innocence.

“Rule of law dictates that filing a case in the court is the proper way to apprehend and exact accountability from erring public officials,” CHR said in an earlier statement.

But presidential spokesman Harry Roque has claimed that the release of the narco list would not violate human rights because it involves elective government posts.

He explained the President ordered the release of the list, so that voters can consider it when they proceed to their respective precincts in May.

Roque also said the list would just “confirm” the supposed common knowledge of residents about the drug pushers in their village.

“People in the village know who’s involved in drugs. If your name is on the list, it’s just a confirmation. Let us leave the people in the village (to make the decision) because they really know their neighbors and if the list is accurate or not,” he added.

Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada also believes that the list of candidates supposedly involved in illegal drugs trade should be released “as soon as possible” to prevent the election of village officials involved in illegal drugs.

“The campaign period for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections is already set for next week. The elections are already set to May 14. Releasing the names of barangay and SK candidates allegedly involved in illegal drugs trade will prevent them from being re-elected or elected,” Estrada told The STAR.

Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III called on the authorities to immediately release the narco list of barangay officials to put to rest all the speculations about the personalities involved. – Marvin Sy, Jose Rodel Clapano