Malacañang on Saturday suggested that the proceeds of the illegal drug trade may have been used to finance some politicians in the recently-concluded national elections.
In an interview with state radio dzRB, presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella also said there is also a possibility that members of the media may be involved in coddling the illegal drug trade in the country.
“I think that’s part of the implication of the President’s message —that the Philippines falls into narcopolitics,” Abella told state radio dzRB.
“Because apparently, there are mayors who acted independently of their parties [and didn’t ask for donations] because they already have their own sources of funds,” Abella said after President Rodrigo Duterte said that some mayors were involved in the illegal drug trade.
Duterte presented a chart that showed the web of suspected drug lords and their alleged protectors, among them local officials and police officers.
“I will not allow these idiots to run their show, not during my watch,” Duterte said.
Philippine National Police chief Ronald dela Rosa, meanwhile, said there are 23 mayors who were believed to be involved in the illegal drug trade.
Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre said the authorities are also looking at the possibility that some high officials of the Aquino administration protected members of the Chinese drug triad in addition to the five police generals whom Duterte had publicly identified.
Interior Secretary Ismael Sueno, meanwhile, plans to release a complete list of those implicated in the syndicates identified by Duterte.
Sueno said that the DILG is now collating intelligence information from government agencies, security forces and all over the country and overseas.
Among those reportedly involved in the protection of drug situation in the country are high-ranking officials in the Aquino administration.
Asked to confirm reports on Dela Rosa’s claim that some members of the media are either protectors of drug lords or using drugs, Abella said that they would have to confirm to members of the media involved in the drug trade.
Abella also replied to the claim of lawyer Jose Manuel Diokno, who lamented the “explosion” of Duterte’s anti-criminality campaign.
“As far as we can see, the President has given us directives, given a directive regarding criminality which is drug related. If there are any complaints, then let’s not base it on speculations. Let us not base our reactions on reportage,” Abella said.