More names of narco execs coming

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will reveal more names of government officials involved in the illegal drugs trade.

This time, these will be officials holding higher positions, said DILG officer-in-charge Secretary Eduardo Año.

After revealing names of barangay officials, Año said another set of names will be disclosed but significantly, these are high ranking government leaders, particularly in the city, municipal and provincial level.

"Merong darating na susunod na batches. Ito ay may involvement pa sa mga higher positions like mayors, governors, panlungsod at panlalawigan," he told the local media during his visit in Cebu City on June 1.

Año wanted to emphasize that the agency mainly tasked to provide the official "narco-list" is the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

The DILG only assists in validating the names of the officials whether they are indeed linked to illegal drugs trafficking.

Both PDEA and the DILG braved in releasing last April this year the names of 207 barangay officials who are reportedly involved in the illegal drugs.

Three of them are from Cebu.

Aside from being the DILG top official, Año also sits as the chairman of National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM).

He said if a directive comes for the cancellation of police deputation of involved officials, the recommendation will undergo a process to determine whether the privilege these officials get should be removed.

But what is most important to him is the cooperation and participation of the public. Año appealed to citizens to report to the agency if they know of involvement of some officials and to also testify making sure that these officials go to jail.

He vowed to provide protection like giving security detail or bodyguard just so people will be encouraged to appear before them.

But this event does not only end in revealing the names. Año said the DILG already filed charges before the Office of the Ombudsman against some barangay officials earlier identified.

Año asked newly elected barangay officials to provide real public service and avoid wasting the opportunity given to them to serve their constituents.

He emphasized that officials in the grassroots level play a vital role in providing basic and frontline services.