Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Regional Director Yogi Filemon Ruiz expounds on their campaign against drug lords in Region 7 during the 888 News Forum held at the Marco Polo hotel. (CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON)
BOHOL Governor Edgardo Chatto has promised to support the anti-drug campaign of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA-7).
“Yesterday, I made a courtesy visit to Governor Chatto of the province of Bohol. It was a very productive meeting. He committed to support our anti-drug campaign and promised to give the names of narco-politicians in the province. This will be investigated and verified and the list will be submitted to the president. We hope to conduct intensified operations in Bohol the coming days. I always make sure to conduct a validation,” said PDEA 7 Chief Yogi Filemon Ruiz during the 888 News Forum.
On the official site of the Provincial Government of Bohol, a post said that it is the goal of officials that Bohol becomes the first drug-free province in the country.
Meanwhile, PDEA has eight more drug personalities in their list.
“I could not say for now who are these people. I apologize because we are still investigating,” Ruiz told Cebu Daily News.
He said there will be an updated list next month.
Ruiz said that the program in going after these drug personalities in the region is not only limited to one government agency.
“One target sabutan kung kinsa mo-handle ani (we will agree as to who will handle) to maximize the resources of the government and avoid encounters. In the regional level we erase the culture of competition,” he added.
When asked about Oplan Tokhang in posh subdivisions, Ruiz said the police tried it, “but the families just asked for privacy that’s why you do not get to hear about this, but way gipili ang PNP.”
Meanwhile, the Department of Interior and Local Government in the region said incumbent local officials named in the Duterte list shall continue to function even if they are placed under investigation.
“Until they are suspended after due process, they continue to act as local officials,” said lawyer Rene Bordeus, DILG regional director.
He also said the DILG regional offices have not received any order to participate in the investigation, especially of incumbent officials included in the Duterte list of alleged drug protectors or those somehow involved in illegal drugs.
Franz Sabalones, brother of San Fernando town Vice Mayor Fralz Sabalones, had surrendered to Philippine National Police Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and ratted on his sources and protectors in the PNP.
But despite the statements of dela Rosa that he had no intention of letting go of Franz, there is no pending warrant of arrest against him.
Police Regional Director Noli Taliño said the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group was tasked to investigate Franz and is currently studying whether Franz’s admission about his illegal drugs dealings would be enough to file a case against him.
The police are also looking into who will replace Jeffrey “Jaguar” Diaz, the alleged top drug lord in the region who was killed by the police sometime in June.
He warned them that they will be the target of police operations if they do not surrender.