MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday vowed to run after political aspirants who are involved in illegal activities.
PNP chief Police General Guillermo Eleazar issued the statement following the arrest of a mayoral candidate in a Maguindanao town for drug-related charges.
“I am reiterating my warning against political aspirants with connections to criminal groups, you will be arrested. The PNP will stop you from using your guns and goons to try to steal the elections from our kababayan,” Eleazar said in a statement.
Operatives from the police, the military and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency nabbed 52-year-old Tom Nandang, also known as Datukon Nandang, who is running for mayor of Northern Kabuntalan town in Maguindanao.
Authorities were able to recover around P5 million worth of suspected shabu from the suspect and a cal. 45 pistol.
The suspect is under the custody of PDEA while drug-related charges are being readied against him.
Eleazar said that Nandang’s arrest is proof of the PNP’s commitment to run after lawless elements, including persons aspiring for elective posts, who will act as peace spoilers during the election period.
“I commend our operatives who carried out this operation for heeding to my call to monitor the illegal drugs activities of some erring candidates in order to ensure that drug money will not be used to fund their bid for the 2022 local and national elections,” he said.
Eleazar tasked the local police to conduct further probe on Nandang’s illegal activities to identify his possible cohorts and establish the scope of his drug operations.
He also assured the public that the PNP will go after so-called narco-politicians who may use their connections to win their desired posts in the upcoming elections.
“Hindi titigil ang inyong PNP sa pagtugis sa mga narco-politicians at iba pang mga pulitiko na may kinalaman sa mga criminal groups. We will not allow them to use their illegal connections to undermine our democratic process,” he said.
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