PDEA chief denies getting 'wiretapped' info from foreign governments about narco pols

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Thursday said it did not receive any "wiretapped" information from foreign countries regarding politicians involved in the illegal drug trade.

Interviewed on Dobol B sa News TV, PDEA chief Director General Aaron Aquino said information about individuals included in the narco list came from local government agencies.

"Wala po kami natatanggap na mga information or intelligence regarding sa narco list na nanggagaling po sa ibang bansa," Aquino said.

Aquino: Wala akong kaalam-alam tungkol sa issue ng wiretapping.

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"Actually nag-emanate po itong list na ito noong 2016 at ito po ay nakuha mula sa iba't-ibang law enforcement agencies... sa mga tauhan po namin sa baba nakakuha ng umpisa muna raw data and then prinoseso po ito para maging intelligence," he added.

"Wala po akong kaalam-alam tungkol sa issues po ng wiretapping, kung papaano ang mode of wiretapping na ginawa, at kung sino pong specific na ahensya ang gumawa nito."

Aquino said foreign governments are only helping PDEA on "supply reduction" of illegal drugs but not with the narco list.

Earlier, presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said foreign governments have provided the Philippines with "wiretapped" information regarding criminals and politicians connected to illegal drugs.

Panelo mentioned countries such as Israel, the US, Russia and China.

The Republic Act No. 4200 or the Anti-Wiretapping Law prohibits wiretapping unless authorized by the court.

Panelo said he did not see anything illegal with the government receiving wiretapped information from other countries.

Panelo has said the government will disclose the narco list by next week, despite opposition from human rights groups and even lawmakers. —Anna Felicia Bajo/KBK, GMA News