Guv pushes cops to probe ‘narco-village officials’

By John Noel E. Herrera

Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. has urged the PNP to investigate barangay officials dabbling in the narcotics trade following reports that Western Visayas has the most number of village officials involved in the drug trade.

Defensor issued the call in the light of the upcoming barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections on Oct 30, 2023.

He urged the police force to conduct the necessary investigation and prosecute those involved if warranted.

“Dapat kasuhan naton na sila. Let us investigate and file the cases. That’s the only thing we can do and way to proceed to that,” Defensor said.

Data from the PNP earlier showed that 430 barangay officials in the country are on the list of suspected illegal drug personalities, including 76 (20 barangay captains and 56 village councilmen) in Western Visayas.

Out of the 76 identified local officials, PRO-6 data revealed that four village chiefs and 11 barangay kagawads came from Iloilo province.

Defensor said that these local officials should be the least likely to get involved in illegal drug activities at the barangay level, as they are expected to be the ones leading the actions for the betterment of their community.

“But again, una, dapat sila ang pinaka-ulihi nga mga tao nga ma-involve sa barangay level sa amu na nga problema,” he said.

Defensor, on the other hand, expressed support for the proposed drug testing on aspiring candidates for barangay and SK elections, noting that it should even be conducted both during local and national elections as well.

“Yes, if pati gani sa national level, why not. Sang una daw permi ta na gina sugilanunan every election… and yes, why not, pero wala na nagakadayon permi and I don’t know for what reasons, but I am in favor of that,” the governor said.

Defensor also said that they will be aggressive in implementing the gun ban to ensure the safety of the public and to have a peaceful election.

“We will be aggressive in implementing that (gun ban) para maging matawhay ang aton election,” he said.

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC)  earlier set the gun ban for the barangay and SK elections from August 28 until Nov 29, 2023, while the application for the exemption already started on Monday, June 5 until Nov 15.

Defensor stressed that the voters should elect barangay officials who are smart, responsible, and competent, as these traits are vital in making their community progressive.

“That is what our voters’ education is all about… Sa mga tao, tan-awon ta kung ano kapasidad nila. Hindi malikawan nga may kaalam na siya, dapat responsable na siya para nga magplano sa barangay. It’s like my job except nga barangay level nga gamay-gamay lang,” he stressed.

The governor added that the provincial government prepared a voters’ education campaign under its Bulig Eskwela sa Probinsya (BES Probins) program to educate voters, especially the young ones, on the roles that local leaders should do in the community.

The provincial government targets to launch the campaign this June so that they can educate the public before the barangay and SK elections start, according to Defensor.

“That is meant to be a straightforward approach… Gina-tudlo naton sa secondary students nga kung election gani amu ni ang mga position, indi ni politika, we are not telling you kung sin-o botohon niyo, no… Wala na di siya, but amu ni ang mga posisyon kag amu ni ubra nila. So that you will know their roles,” he added.