- GILBERT BAYORAN
There are 76 barangay officials in Western Visayas being alleged to have links to the illegal drug trade.
Of the 76, the Police Regional Office 6 reported that 20 are barangay captains while 56 others are kagawads, who were previously arrested, surrendered, or delisted, and placed under monitoring.
PNP chief, Gen. Benjamin Acorda, earlier revealed that there are 430 barangay officials nationwide who are included in the PNP watchlist, being either high value or street level individuals.
In a statement, P/Brig. Gen. Sidney Villaflor, acting Western Visayas police chief, said they are closely monitoring and preparing a strong case buildup against barangay officials allegedly involved in illegal drugs.
Acorda reported that Western Visayas has the highest number of barangay officials with links to the illegal drug trade.
It was not established, however, if there are barangay officials in Negros Occidental, who were among the 430 with alleged links to illegal drug trade.
“We will continue to strike without fear, even if it involves government officials,” Villaflor said, as he vowed to use all resources available to PRO6 to end the drug menace in the region.
He added that the inclusion of 76 barangay officials on the drug watch list only strengthens the notion that no one is above the law.
“By causing the arrest of government officials allegedly involved in illegal drugs and their trade, it serves as a stern warning to other drug personalities within its scope,” Villaflor said.
He urged those elected government officials who are involved in illegal drugs to end it immediately./GB
