(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte said barangay candidates linked to illegal drug activity who won in the recent elections are not yet off the hook.
He said that they would still be subject to investigation by the Philippine National Police, and that whatever findings that the PNP will have can be used in pursuing criminal charges against them.
“Kayong mga nasa droga at nanalo kayo, your election to the barangay position is not a guarantee. Do not [seek cover] on that title,” Duterte said.
The statement of the President came after Philippine National Police chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said that barangay officials included in the government’s list of drug personalities could be subjected to its anti-illegal drugs program, Oplan Tokhang.
Before the May 14 barangay elections, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency released the names of the 207 barangay officials who allegedly had drug links.
Some 90 barangay chairpersons and 117 members of barangay councils in Bicol, the Cordillera Administrative Region, and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao were in the list.