By Chito Chavez
After the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), it’s now the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) turn to warn barangay election candidates with alleged drug ties of not pursuing their supposed political ambitions.
With the start of the filing of certificates of candidacy (CoC) last April 14, DILG officer-in-charge (OIC) Eduardo M. Año said candidates in the May 14 polls with illegal drug links have no place in public service.
“Do your country a favor. Do not even consider the thought of filing your certificate of candidacy for any position in the coming barangay and SK elections,” said Año. “Don’t use public office to cover up your involvement in narco trade. Don’t corrupt public funds for your crimes. Not under the watch of President Duterte. Not under my watch in the DILG.”
The filing of CoC for the May 14 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan election (BSKE) is slated until April 20, 2018.
Año underscored the importance of electing barangay officials who have no involvement in illegal drugs because they will head the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (BADACs) in their respective localities.
He added one of the responsibilities of the BADAC is to plan, strategize, implement and evaluate programs and projects on drug abuse prevention in the barangay as well as to organize and orient BADAC Auxiliary Teams on their roles and functions and in formulating plans of action to address the problem.
“How can one have the moral authority to spearhead the drive against illegal drugs in their barangays if they themselves are tagged as protectors, financiers or users?” he asked.
Recently, NCRPO chief Director Oscar Albayalde urged the residents of Metro Manila to report to the police any person with links to illegal drugs who would file a certificate of candidacy for the upcoming elections.
Albayalde said they need the cooperation of the public in the barangays since they are the ones who know who among the residents in their respective barangays have links to illegal drugs trade.
