By Martin Sadongdong
Barangay officials who were included the "narco-list" released by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) recently might be subjected to Oplan Tokhang (knock and plead) operations, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) revealed Wednesday.
(MANILA BULLETIN)
Speaking at the sideline of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Board of Governors' Meeting in Mandaluyong City, NCRPO Director Camilo Pancratius Cascolan said the decision lies in the hands of Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Albayalde.
"The directive at the national headquarters will be followed. If that will be the directive (conduct Oplan Tokhang), then we will do that," Cascolan told reporters when asked about the matter.
Ahead of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections on May 14, the PDEA released last Monday a "validated" narco-list involving 207 village officials who are allegedly involved in various illegal drug activities. The Palace said it would serve as a guide for the public to determine who should they not vote for in the coming elections.
The list includes 90 barangay captains and 117 barangay kagawads or councilors, where 12 of them are in the NCR.
For his part, Albayalde said the PDEA has yet to coordinate with them to determine what the next step would be after identifying the village officials in the narco-list.
"I think if they would ask help from us, I'd say get evidence and if there is sufficient , then we should file a case," Albayalde said.
Cascolan echoed Albayalde's statements, adding that it would be best for the village officials linked in various illegal drug activities to surrender.
"If you are in the watch list, it is better for you to surrender. If not, we will be building cases against you," Cascolan said.
(MANILA BULLETIN)
Speaking at the sideline of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Board of Governors' Meeting in Mandaluyong City, NCRPO Director Camilo Pancratius Cascolan said the decision lies in the hands of Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Albayalde.
"The directive at the national headquarters will be followed. If that will be the directive (conduct Oplan Tokhang), then we will do that," Cascolan told reporters when asked about the matter.
Ahead of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections on May 14, the PDEA released last Monday a "validated" narco-list involving 207 village officials who are allegedly involved in various illegal drug activities. The Palace said it would serve as a guide for the public to determine who should they not vote for in the coming elections.
The list includes 90 barangay captains and 117 barangay kagawads or councilors, where 12 of them are in the NCR.
For his part, Albayalde said the PDEA has yet to coordinate with them to determine what the next step would be after identifying the village officials in the narco-list.
"I think if they would ask help from us, I'd say get evidence and if there is sufficient , then we should file a case," Albayalde said.
Cascolan echoed Albayalde's statements, adding that it would be best for the village officials linked in various illegal drug activities to surrender.
"If you are in the watch list, it is better for you to surrender. If not, we will be building cases against you," Cascolan said.