Lakas-Kampi-CMD standard bearer Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Saturday called on authorities to prosecute politicians involve in illegal drug trade, as he stressed the need to train the country’s drug enforcement agencies to effectively run after drug syndicates.

Teodoro made the call following a report of the United State Department that some candidates in the coming national elections are receiving funding from drug syndicates.

"That situation is very dangerous as drug syndicates can easily help a candidate win through their money. We must retool the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and other law enforcement agencies to prevent this from happening,” he said.

Teodoro said providing more funds for law enforcement agencies and equip them with better training in investigation techniques will minimize the incidence of cases reaching the courts which do not prosper because of procedural lapses by lawmen.

Teodoro, 1989 Philippine Bar topnotcher, also said that the legislature must craft tougher laws that will severely penalize political beneficiaries of known drug lords or syndicates.

He underscored the need to know those candidates using drug money for their campaign "so that the voters would know and give time for these bets to explain and deny.’’

Teodoro has also said that Central Mindanao is among the drug flashpoints requiring immediate attention.

At the Presidentiable Series forum sponsored by the Manila Overseas Press Club last Friday, Teodoro said the long and jagged coastlines of the country have made it difficult for anti-drug authorities to check narcotics smuggling, particularly in Mindanao.

Internat ional police organizations, including the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, have expressed belief that Philippines has become a transhipment area for Asiasourced drugs for delivery to the US and western countries.