CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — Three incumbent mayors and a congressman who are seeking another term in the May mid-term elections were named in the initial “validated” list of narco politicians released by the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.
Of the 48 local government officials, four are from Region 3. They are Subic town Mayor Jefferson Khonghun, Zambales first district Representative Jeffrey Khonghun, Camiling, Tarlac Mayor Erlon Agustin and San Rafael, Bulacan Mayor Cipriano Violago, Jr.
The four local government executives have yet to issue their statements.
Three years ago, a floating shabu laboratory disguised as a fishing vessel was intercepted by anti-illegal drugs operatives off the shore of Barangay Calapandayan, Subic, Zambales. Four Chinese crew members were found aboard.
Former PNP Chief DIrecror General Ronald de la Rosa and PDEA head Usec Aaron Aquino led the lightning raid leading to the seizure of some finished products of methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) and arrest of four Chinese chemists.
At that time, the mayor of Subic town was Jay Khonghun, son of Jefferson.
Subic town had long been known in the underworld. It has gained notoriety due to the presence of illegal drugs “traders” specifically at Barangay Calapacuan, a small Muslim community where shabu thrives.
Despite repeated raids, criminal gangs engaged in the distribution of this kind of prohibited substance stay and have been enjoying apparently the protection of unscrupulous government officials, according to residents there.
Over in San Rafael, Bulacan, DILG and PDEA named Violago as among narco politcians there while Agustin of Camiling, Tarlac is prominently identified occupying the 7th spot on the list.
This writer tried to reach the four government officials but failed.