Candidates who will emerge victorious in the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections 2018 but are included in the drugs watchlist will be hunted down by the Philippine National Police (PNP), the country’s top cop warned Monday.
PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde clarified that winning in the elections is not an excuse for candidates to be exempted from being punished for doing illegal activities.
“What we can do is to further validate the allegations against them and conduct a case buildup if they are really in the [drugs watchlist],” Albayalde said.
“If there is a basis, then we can file a case or apply for a search warrant. It [winning from the elections] is not an excuse. Winning does not absolve them from their involvement in illegal drugs,” he emphasized.
However, he clarified that until the allegations are proven, the winning candidates in the drugs watchlist will have to perform their duties as duly-elected village officials.
“The [Commission on Election] will proclaim the winners. The PNP’s part is for intelligence and case buildup only if they are really involved. Remember, these are mere allegations [being included in drugs watchlist] and it is also not a reason for them to be deprived of exercising their powers once they get elected,” he said.
Albayalde went on to assure the winning officials who are in the drugs watchlist that they will be given due process while their investigation is being conducted.
“It’s a watchlist, not a warrant of arrest,” he said. (Martin Sadongdong)