DILG creates Task Force Agila to probe officials involved in drug operations

The Department of Interior and Local Government has a task force to investigate local government officials allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade, a television report said Tuesday.

A report on GMA News TV's News to Go quoted Undersecretary John Castriciones as saying that Task Force Agila will look into the alleged participation of government officials linked by President Rodrigo Duterte to illegal drug operations in the country.

Castriciones added the task force will also look into the bank records and investments of the local officials.

But he said that only those elected into office are covered by Task Force Agila.

The same television report said the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the Philippine National Police will investigate civilians, while the National Police Commission will investigate police officers.

Meanwhile, Catriciones said the DILG will only file charges against the elected officials to the Ombudsman once the agency gathered enough credible evidence.

On August 25, Duterte released a matrix showing the supposed links of several former and current government officials, including Sen. Leila De Lima, to drug lords detained in the New Bilibid Prison. 

Aside from De Lima, other officials included in the matrix are Pangasinan Rep. Amado Espino Jr., former Justice Usec. Francisco Baraan III, Pangasinan Provincial Administrator Rafael Baraan, retired Gen. Franklin Bucayo, and Pangasinan Board Member Raul Sison.

All have since denied the allegation. — Joseph Tristan Roxas/RSJ, GMA News