Albayalde dares barangay officials, candidates to undergo drug test

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Albayalde on Monday challenged incumbent barangay officials and candidates to undergo drug test ahead of the May 14 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.

"Meron ng mga incidents ng mga nag-surrender na mga barangay officials, kagawad up to the barangay chairman, and we're actually putting this drug test challenge sa mga barangay officials atsaka sa mga tumatakbo pa," Albayalde said in a press briefing in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

"Although sabi nga nila na walang batas para dito, but we wanted to put this challenge sa kanila, kung wala naman talagang tinatago 'yang mga 'yan, why not undergo a voluntary drug test? Ito yung sinasabi nga natin, hintayin pa ba na 'yan lumabas yung listahan na 'yan, hintayin pa na sila'y maakusahan," he added.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on April 30 released the list of barangay chairpersons and councilmen allegedly involved in illegal drugs.

PDEA director general Aaron Aquino said the names of the 207 barangay officials on the list were validated by four agencies, including the PNP.  

Included on the list are 90 barangay chairpersons and 117 members of barangay councils in Bicol, the Cordillera Administrative Region and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Criminal charges against the 207 barangay officials are being prepared, according to Aquino.

"In Region 1, there were several candidates and incumbent na barangay officials who underwent voluntary drug test, so ito yung sinasabi nga natin, it's a challenge to everyone itong mga tumaktabo ng SK and barangay elections to voluntarily undergo drug test," Albayalde said. —KBK, GMA News