Pubdate: Sun, 07 Aug 2016
Source: Philippine Star (Philippines)
Copyright: PhilSTAR Daily Inc. 2016
Contact:  http://www.philstar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/622
Author: Jess Diaz

JUDGES INCLUDED IN NARCO LIST

Aside from governors, mayors and members of Congress, judges are also 
in the order of battle against illegal drugs, President Duterte 
revealed on Friday.

Speaking at the Central Command of the Armed Forces of the 
Philippines at Camp LapuLapu in Cebu, Duterte warned he would have to 
kill them if they would not stop their illegal drug trade.

"These drug lords, these mayors, these governors... don't be 
complacent with me, I will have you killed," Duterte said.

"Now, if I read the names of the judges which I will  in a few hours, 
a few days. It's not that I want them shamed, I do not know them. 
There are police officers, judges, there are congressmen. But it 
behooves upon me, I have the obligation to tell the Filipino people 
what is happening to this country," he said.

Duterte expressed his anger that local politicians, along with the 
so-called narcogenerals, have abused their authority by allowing 
themselves to be part of the well-entrenched drug syndicates 
operating in the country.

He said the so-called narcopoliticians cannot fool him by giving 
excuses about their alleged involvement in the illicit drug trade.

"Do not make a fool out of me," Duterte said, adding he was a 
prosecutor for 10 years and he knew how to pin down suspected drug 
offenders for prosecution.

Duterte said he has been updated by the concerned agencies regarding 
the narco list and has ordered a revalidation of the intelligence reports.

"That is why I ordered a revalidation because it would be unfair if 
you are a politician and you are dragged into illegal drugs, you're 
finished," Duterte said.

Duterte reiterated anew his shoot-on-sight order against local 
officials suspected of drug trafficking.

Among them is Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. and his son Kerwin.

Duterte confirmed he had a shoot-on-sight order against the Espinosas.

"I have ordered people to look for him and shoot on sight like a dog. 
That's how I see him - a dog. You (drug traffickers) transformed 
people into dogs. Our sons have now lost their minds," Duterte said.

Following Espinosa, more local officials tagged in the supposed 
"narco-politicians" list presented themselves to the police.

Maguing, Lanao del Sur Mayor Mamaulan Abinal Mulok and former 
Marantao, Lanao del Sur mayor Muhammad Ali Abu Abinal turned 
themselves over to Philippine National Police ( PNP) chief Director 
General Ronald dela Rosa.

Ampatuan, Maguindanao Mayor Rasul Sangki surrendered to the regional 
police last Thursday but denied any links to drug trafficking.

Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada said he supported Duterte's "shame 
campaign" against his fellow mayors who are involved in drugs.

Estrada said the President is on the right track.

"If the President would not go after and shame those mayors and other 
elected public officials who are involved in illegal drugs, pretty 
soon we'll have top government officials, even senators, who are in 
cahoots with drug syndicates. We don't want our country to be run by 
drug lords," Estrada said.

Estrada also said he supports the shoot-on-sight order of Duterte 
against the erring local officials.

"And if possible, they should fight it out with the lawmen so that 
the problem would be over," he said. "I'm serious because it involves 
the future of young people."

Going home

Espinosa was forced out of the PNP chief's residence after the 
deadline for his son to surrender had lapsed.

PNP spokesman Senior Supt. Dionardo Carlos said Espinosa and his 
family left the "White House," the official residence of the PNP 
chief in Camp Crame, and took the morning flight to Leyte yesterday.

"The mayor left (the) camp after no surrender of his son Kerwin 
transpired," Carlos said.

Espinosa surrendered to police on Tuesday, saying he feared for his 
safety after Duterte threatened to shoot him for allegedly coddling 
his drug-dealing son.

Espinosa was under the custody of the police Criminal Investigation 
and Detection Group ( CIDG) and denied allegations he was into drug 
trafficking.

While in custody of the police, Espinosa was allowed to stay in the 
White House, much to the chagrin of Dela Rosa, who was getting 
impatient over Kerwin's planned surrender.

Dela Rosa said he ordered Espinosa and his family out of the White 
House, adding that he could no longer endure the smoking habits of 
his "guests."

Dela Rosa said he was relying on Espinosa to help in the surrender of 
his son, setting the deadline on Friday night.

And since the deadline had lapsed, Dela Rosa said he would be sending 
Espinosa home.

Dela Rosa had warned Kerwin to surrender, pointing out the 
shoot-on-sight order of President Duterte is still in effect.

Duterte earlier bared he had a list of 27 local officials involved in 
the illegal drug trade and he would expose them soon.

- - Christina Mendez, Jaime Laude, Jose Rodel Clapano, Giovanni Nilles, 
Robertzon Ramirez
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom