Pubdate: Wed, 13 Jul 2016
Source: Philippine Star (Philippines)
Copyright: PhilSTAR Daily Inc. 2016
Contact:  http://www.philstar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/622
Authors: Cecille Suerte Felipe, With Christina Mendez, Alexis Romero

DUTERTE TO NAME 'NARCO-MAYORS' SOON

After shaming the "narco generals," President Duterte will soon 
reveal the local officials involved in illegal drugs.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Ismael Sueno said the 
President is still validating the list of local officials involved in 
the illegal drug trade.

He said the President would like to name first the "big ones" or the 
"narco mayors" who have greater involvement.

"I clarified with President Duterte (about the 23 mayors involved in 
illegal drugs), we're still in the process of validation. He has the 
list but he is still choosing who are the big ones. Remember, he said 
earlier there were 35, now it is down to 23," Sueno said during an 
interview over dzRH yesterday.

"So he is still choosing who... he will announce perhaps within this 
week who they are," he added.

Sueno noted the President, a former prosecutor, is looking into the 
possibility of filing charges of neglect of duty against the local 
chief executives at the DILG.

"In our Cabinet meeting, President Duterte told us initially these 
mayors, barangay executives can be charged for serious neglect of 
duty at DILG level. We will follow due process. If barangay captain 
is involved, then we can file case at Sangguniang Bayan or municipal 
level, then the mayor may suspend them," he explained.

According to Sueno, Duterte will reveal more names in the coming 
weeks, including more police officials.

Last week, Duterte named five police generals who allegedly acted as 
protectors and benefited from the illegal drug operations.

"As he said, we are waging war versus drug lords because they destroy 
thousands of lives of people. He wishes they won't surrender so there 
is ground to neutralize them," Sueno said.

"Perhaps more names of police officers (will be revealed) aside from 
five police generals," he added.

Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said a memorandum circular 
directing an investigation of local chief executives for possible 
neglect of duty was among the proposals floated during last Monday's 
Cabinet meeting.

"They may be investigated for serious neglect of duty if found to 
have neglected their tasks," Abella said in a press conference yesterday.

"The incidence usually happens in the barangay level... It's 
basically area management. You are referring to area management. If 
this is your area, that's your area of responsibility," he added.

Abella said the investigation would be conducted by the DILG. He 
could not say, however, when the memorandum circular would be released.

"But it will be soon," Abella said.

"They will go through their own due process. But basically they're 
bringing it down to that level."

Presidential directive

Duterte earlier told lawmakers that at least 35 local executives are 
involved in illegal drugs. He vowed to reveal the names of the local 
officials once he validates the information linking them to the 
narcotics trade.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald de la 
Rosa said Duterte would name at least 23 mayors who are protecting 
drug lords and pushers.

At the same time, Sueno urged drug offenders to surrender and help 
authorities arrest the major players in the illegal drug trade.

"I advise them (drug dependents and pushers) to secretly give tips 
for their own safety," Sueno said.

"We have IAS ( Internal Affairs Service) of PNP looking into these 
reports. We're strengthening this department so that we will know if 
proper police procedures were followed."

Critics said the daily killings of drug offenders are getting out of hand.

A number of lawmakers, the Commission on Human Rights, anti-crime 
groups and Amnesty International raised alarm bells on the increasing 
death toll of suspected drug offenders in supposed shootouts with the police.

Lawmakers led by Sen. Leila de Lima, who served as justice secretary 
of the previous administration, wanted a congressional inquiry into 
the killings.

Solicitor General Jose Calida defended the police, whom he said were 
merely following the presidential directive in the allout war against 
illegal drugs.

Calida went on to criticize De Lima for initiating the Senate probe, 
saying there is no basis. Presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo 
added a congressional inquiry should not be based on mere conjectures 
or insinuation.

Abella echoed the President's instructions for the police to conduct 
all-out war against drugs. The PNP and other law enforcement agencies 
should be given the presumption that they are doing their jobs with 
regularity, he said.

"The word is not really arrogant. I believe the SolGen is simply 
exercising his right, his duty as Solicitor General and lawyer for 
the government of the Philippines to make sure that all things are 
processed properly and the police, the police come under his 
purview," Abella said.

"So, he was simply speaking in behalf of his authority and right to 
be able to exercise his role," he added.

Sought for comment if Duterte's stern warning earlier that Congress 
should not step in the way of his doing business in government would 
mean that members of the Cabinet and the PNP will not be attending 
Senate inquiries, Abella said the guidance was for the police to 
simply do their jobs.

Abella also skirted the issue when asked if the President will allow 
top police officials to face the Senate probe, if it is pursued 
during the upcoming 17th Congress.

"I'm not sure if it's a directive not to attend but basically what 
he's saying is that they should pursue their job, their task, as 
fully as they can," he said.

"I'm not sure. Like I said it's not a question that he will tell them 
not to go or go. But basically... really just encouraging them to 
pursue their task as fully as they can," Abella said.

Abella also debunked claims by the CHR that the President has double 
standards in his exacting justice and in trying to stop the drug menace.

"I think in his past actions, history has proven, based on results, 
that he uses one single standard. Maybe just in the process of 
implementation, but he uses one single standard, from top to bottom, 
he does the same thing," Abella said, without elaborating.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom