PNP to review data to identify alleged cocaine-using Eleksyon 2022 aspirant

Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Police General Dionardo Carlos said on Monday that they would review data going back five years to identify the Eleksyon 2022 presidential aspirant who, according to President Rodrigo Duterte, was using cocaine.

“He (Duterte) made mention and we will take action on the information na naibahagi po ng presidente kaya po magre-review po kami," Carlos said in a television interview.

(We will take action on the information provided by the President. That’s why we will be reviewing our data.)

However, if Duterte would identify the alleged drug user, then they would take the necessary actions.

“May pamamaraan kung papaano po namin mai-identify ‘yung nabanggit po ng pangulo base sa mga datos o mga impormasyon na naibigay na po sa amin simula nung 2016. Kaya mayron po tayong gagawing pagre-review. If the president would inform us or give us the specifics, then we will work on the presidential information that is given to the task,”

(We have ways to identify the person mentioned by the President based on data and information going back to 2016. That’s why we are conducting a review.)

Carlos said on Sunday that he initially tasked the Philippine Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG), under the supervision of Police Brigadier General Remus Medina, to handle the probe. They would also confer with other agencies for more information.

“Once this [becomes] a package, meaning complete information, they will now recommend appropriate action to be undertaken by the PDEG. So, I’ll get updates from Remus as to the progress of this task,” Carlos said.

The Chief PNP added that once they identify the alleged cocaine user, they would determine the appropriate action to be taken.

“[We will] take necessary evidence or validated information. Kung ‘yan po ay makakarating o dadating tayo to prevent him from using illegal drugs or ma-tignan natin kung mayron ho siyang desire na magbago, i-extend ho natin ‘yung effort ng gobyerno para po makapagbago ‘yung tao na nabanggit,” he explained.

(We will take necessary evidence or validated information. And if that leads us to prevent him from using illegal drugs, we will also see if he has a desire to change. Then we will extend government assistance to help him change for the better.)

One of Carlos' goals as PNP chief is strengthening the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC) as part of the PNP’s "Double Barrel Finale Version 2022” anti-drug campaign.

He said that this version of the anti-narcotics campaign aims to bolster police operations against criminality and illegal drugs with continuous coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB). — DVM, GMA News