Thrash the ‘Narco-Pols’

DIRTY money from illegal operations has long been influencing local politics and elections.  We all know that for a fact.

A lot of focus has gone into illegal gambling operations, jueteng in particular, because we had the likes of Archbishop Emeritus Oscar Cruz who bravely and determinedly initiated and organized moves to try and stop this social menace.

But there is also another hazard that has been lurking in our communities which has not been given as much attention though its impact could perhaps be far more damaging: prohibited drugs.

Last week, this problem was brought to public attention following the release of the “International Narcotics Control Strategy Report” by the US Department of State. In this report, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) sounds the alarm for the possibility of money from the illegal drug trade influencing the results of the election scheduled on May 10. The threat is not so much at the national level but more at the local setting. This means that illegal drug operators could be contributing to the campaign funds of local politicians (i.e., our congressmen, mayors, vice mayors, councilors, etc.) who, in turn, would be protecting them once they are sitting in public office. Ultimately, that means illegal drugs would be circulating in our communities and would continue to destroy young lives and families, the very foundation of our communities.

Here in Pangasinan, the PDEA told The PUNCH that there are reports that at least three candidates for local positions are involved in what is termed as “narco-politics”. For a province as big as Pangasinan, with 44 towns and four cities, that somehow seems to be a very small and almost insignificant number. It must surely be just the tip of the iceberg. The report is still being investigated and validated, according to PDEA. If proven true, the PDEA would expectedly be filing charges and arresting the suspects. But even the best of intentions and well-meaning missions don’t always succeed.

There is another possible solution, though, and it does not lie in the hands of the authorities. The voting public could make the decision for themselves not to support known ‘narco-pols’ seeking local posts. It is one of those things that are almost certainly part of the body of “local knowledge”.

The illegal drug trade is as old as politics and there would realistically be no way to completely put an end to it. But we can save and protect one life, one family, one community at a time by choosing not to vote for even just one candidate whose hands are dirty with illegal drug money.

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