PNP exec admits existence of list of barangay captains allegedly involved in illegal drugs

A Philippine National Police official admitted Monday that there is a list of barangay captains who are allegedly involved in illegal drugs.

PNP Deputy Director for Operations, Chief Superintendent Emmanuel Licup,  made the statement during the House hearing on the proposed postponement of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections scheduled in October this year.

"There is a list, sir, pero I'm not familiar with the list neither [is] my office is involved in the validation," Licup told Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel.

President Rodrigo Duterte has pushed for the postponement of the barangay elections and replace incumbent officials with appointive officers-in-charge, as he alleged that 40 percent of the barangay captains nationwide is involved in illegal drugs.

Licup, however, clarified that he could not confirm if the list only includes barangay captains.

"I'm not so sure kung solely ang listahan po ay for barangay captains...[or for] other elected officials [also]," he said.

Paranaque Rep. Gus Tambunting then asked Licup if he agrees that barangay officials confirmed to be involved in illegal drugs should be banned from running in the elections.

"Maybe it is not in our mandate to say if he is qualified or not qualified," he said.

"But the validation is ongoing. Kung validated po yun, we will do proper police action," he added.

Pimentel asked the panel to invite in the next hearing the personalities or officials involved in the verification of the list. — RSJ/KVD, GMA News