5 Mindanao officials in illegal drug watchlist - Sotto

DAVAO CITY , Philippines   – At least five government officials in Mindanao are reportedly in the watchlist of both the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) for their alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade.

DDB Chairman Vicente Sotto III, however, refused to identify the politicians, except saying that most of them are from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

“Most are in the ARMM. They are being monitored,” said Sotto who arrived here Wednesday to address participants in a seminar-workshop on dangerous drugs.

Sotto stressed the extent of “narco-politics” especially among politicians who depend on money from illegal drugs for their campaign funds.

Sotto also warned of the entry of heroin and cocaine into the country, saying that authorities are exerting efforts to prevent the smuggling of these prohibited drugs, as this would mean a bigger problem.

Meanwhile, the seminar-workshop initiated by the DDB gathered judges, prosecutors, and law enforcers from Western Mindanao and Central Mindanao who were updated on the list of dangerous drugs and controlled chemicals and apprised of DDB regulations and provisions of Republic Act 9165.

Sotto said only 22 percent of drug cases filed in court have resulted in convictions, and about two-thirds in acquittal, dismissal or provisional dismissal.

However, Sotto said that in the last five years, there has been a significant reduction in the number of drug addicts.

In 2004, he said statistics showed that from six million, it was reduced to 1.7 million.

Sotto reminded the participants that the fight against drug abuse concerns all pillars of criminal justice.

“Every pillar of the criminal justice system has contributed much to the drug supply reduction efforts of the government. And the magnitude of the drug problem will show us exactly why we have to make the campaign a personal advocacy,” he said.