President Duterte may no longer reveal the names of officials in his
new narcotics list, saying it can prod drug groups to purge their ranks.
According to Duterte, if he reveal their names, it is possible for them to eliminate each other to cleanse themselves, and prevent from being drawn into the shabu investigation.
The President said this proclamation during the 115th anniversary of the Philippine Coast Guard yesterday in Manila, adding that he is having second thoughts on whether he should release it or not. Or simply read it.
Duterte previously revealed that there were about 8,000 names of government officials on his third narco list, which he said included local executives, uniformed men and members of the judiciary and about 5,000 barangay captains.
He said that people might feel downhearted if they learn that the guys in the list are people that they have elected in an election which is supposed to take place this month. He was referring to the barangay elections that he wanted postponed to prevent drug lords from influencing the process.
“Until now, I’m trying to validate, revalidate and validate and revalidate so that I’d be fair to everybody.”
Duterte has linked more than 160 officials to the narcotics trade, which he said has caused a problem of “epidemic proportions.”
Critics said the release of the names of drug suspects violated due process, but Duterte said he was just reporting the true state of the country.
The President reminded security forces to perform their duty and to address the drug menace in the event that the problem outlasts him.
Source: Philippine Star
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