CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga – A vice governor, two lawmakers and five mayors were identified as narco-politicians in Central Luzon but the Philippine National Police (PNP) did not identify them.
Citing intelligence reports, PNP Chief Director General Ronald de la Rosa said the Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) is currently investigating the report and “we are on the process of validating the information submitted to us.”
National Police Director General Ronald De la Rosa and Central Luzon Police Director Chief Supt. Aaron Aquino troop the line during the former’s visit at Camp Olivas in the City of San Fernando. Dela Rosa keynotes the 116th PNP service anniversary on Tuesday. — By Jess Malabanan
When asked by De La Rosa on the list of narco-politicians, outgoing PRO3 director Chief Supt. Aaron Aquino admitted to reporters the existence of narco-politicians in the region. But he said the police are currently validating the information.”
“Yes we have list of narco-politician but we’re still on the process of getting more information and validating it”, Aquino said in his reply to De la Rosa.
“So meron, meron dito, continuous valdation,” said De la Rosa after consulting with Aquino.
“For mayors we have at least five, congressmen I think there are two and one vice governor,” said Aquino.
Central Luzon comprises seven province and two highly urbanized cities including Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales and Angeles City and Olongapo City.
De la Rosa said there is no need for Supt Chief Jovie Espinedo to be reassigned to Central Luzon as the issue on narco-politicians can be managed by Senior Supt. Romeo Caramat, of the Bulacan Police Office (BPO).
“Hindi na kailangan i-assign si Espinedo dito sa Region 3, nandyan si ]Romeo] Caramat. May kalalagyan ang mga narco-politicians na yan. Tahimik lang ‘yan,” De la Rosa told reporters.
Bulacan police reported the death of 32 suspected street traffickers and more than a hundred of methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) condiscated in less than 24 hours during series of sting operations in separate places in that province.
“Marami sa ating mga kapuisan ang nagtratrabaho pero tahimik lang sila sa tabi,” said De la Rosa, who motored here for the 116th PNP Service Anniversary held in this regional police headquarters Tuesday.
For the nth times, De la Rosa warned local government officials who are involved in the illegal drugs trade to stop their activities. “Wala tayong inaatrasan sa laban na ‘to! Magovernor ka man, mayor ka or congressman ka quisehoda ka! Kapag ikaw ay involve sa drugs bakbakan ka namin. Hindi ka namin aatrasan!”