Duterte: Winners in barangay polls with ties to drugs not off the hook

President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday warned newly elected barangay officials with ties to the illegal drug trade that they are not yet off the hook.

“Kayong mga nasa droga at nanalo kayo, your election to the barangay position is not a guarantee. Do not [seek cover] on that title,” Duterte told reporters in Malacañang.

Duterte's pronouncement came after the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Tuesday that barangay officials in the government's list of alleged drug personalities who won in the recent polls could be subjected to its Oplan Tokhang or knock-and-plead operations.

PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said they will be guided by evidence in making the decision whether to subject a barangay official to Oplan Tokhang.

Days before the May 14 elections, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency released the names of 207 barangay officials allegedly involved in illegal drugs.

Included in the list are 90 barangay chairpersons and 117 members of barangay councils in Bicol, the Cordillera Administrative Region, and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. — BAP, GMA News