Three of the local officials who surrendered after their names were included in the Duterte drug list have started singing the right tune that the police wanted to hear, with probers hoping that they would help in pinning down more drug personalities.
Chief Supt. Roel Obusan, director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), said one of the three even started squealing names and modus operandi that are essential in running after both known and unknown drugs personalities in areas where he sits as a local executives.
“He revealed some details during the question and answer. These details are good investigative leads for us,” said Obusan.
But the official would not name the local executive, saying it could jeopardize the operations that they may carry out.
He, however, said that the other two who made a confession of their direct involvement in the illegal drugs transactions are former Marantao, Lanao del Sur Mayor Abinal Mohammad Abu and Maguing, Lanao del Sur Mamaulan Abinal Mulok.
Obusan was quick to clarify that although the third local official would not confess, his statements can be used to eventually pin him down in the future.
“We have to pursue the admissions so as to solidify if ever we can have a very good case against him,” said Obusan.
At least 30 local executives trooped to Camp Crame on Monday after they were given 24 hours by Duterte to surrender
when he read his drug list on Sunday.
Almost all of the officials who were interviewed by the CIDG investigators have denied their involvement in the illegal drugs transactions and even questioned the basis of their inclusion in the list.
Amid the denial, Obusan said they will use what they have in their files in pinning them down. He added that the information that would be given by other agencies that would be tapped in the probe is also important.
(Aaron Recuenco)