Gatchalian urges gov’t to immediately file raps vs. barangay execs on narco list

Charges should  immediately be filed against barangay officials included in the drug list if the government really has strong evidence in their involvement in illegal drug operations, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said Wednesday.

Gatchalian said inclusion in the list does not mean guilt as only a court can determine that.

“Again, in due fairness, ‘yung inclusion in the drug list doesn’t mean ‘yung barnagay captain ay guilty na. Galing sa intelligence reports ‘yan. Ang importante, kasuhan kung matibay ang ebidensya,” he told reporters in the weekly news forum Kapihan sa Senado.

“Kasuhan na para mataas pa ang posibilidad na hindi siya makatakbo at maiwasan ng ating mga kababayan ‘yung mga involved sa drug list,” he added.

Gatchalian said it would be unfair to those who are really involved in illegal drugs who were included on the list if these barangay officials will not face charges.

“Nakatatakot kasi ‘yung drug list e galing sa intelligence report pero 'di pa sigurado kung guilty sa connection ng illegal drugs,” he said.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier said he is still thinking whether he will make public the narco list which includes barangay officials allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade.

Interior and Local Government officer in charge Eduardo Año earlier urged aspiring barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) candidates who are involved in illegal drugs to desist from running in the May 14 polls.

“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. Don’t use public office to cover up your involvement in narco trade. Don’t corrupt public funds for your crimes,” he said. —KG, GMA News