LINGAYEN–Liga ng mga Barangay provincial chairman Jinky Zaplan admitted that only some barangay chairmen have submitted themselves for drug tests and submitted lists of drug personalities in their respective barangays.

She made the admission even as she lauded the call of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to voters not to re-elect barangay officials known to be involved and supported illegal drugs in their communities.

“Of course, we do not want to elect those who are involved in illegal drugs or any other illegal activities,” Zaplan told newsmen who sought her out after the session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) last March 19.

“Lahat siguro ng mga taong na-involved sa illegal na gawain ay dapat hindi natin suportahan,” she added.

Zaplan said she is confident that there is no barangay official from Pangasinan still among the more than 9,000 barangay officials listed by the PDEA as allegedly involved in illegal drugs.

“Siguro naman dito sa Pangasinan nalinisan na. Sa pagkakaalam ko, ayon kay PD Lee, Pangasinan is now almost drug-free. Siguro, yong 9,000 ay nasa ibang lugar.”  Zaplan said.

However, when asked if all the barangay chairmen in Pangasinan have complied with the requirement of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) that they submit lists of drug personalities (users and pushers) in their areas, Zaplan said some did but there are others that have not.

And when asked whether all the barangay chairmen have taken drug tests to prove they are not using illegal drugs after she filed a resolution in 2016 as president of the provincial Liga ng mga Barangay urging all barangay chairmen to undergo a drug test, Zaplan replied, “Some already did. But others have not.”

When asked if she, being a barangay chairman in Sta. Barbara town, already had taken the drug test herself, Zaplan admitted she has not done it herself.

She explained that she could have joined the employees of the provincial government when they took the tests in August 2016 but she was abroad.

But Zaplan quickly added that she intends to take the drug test soon.

When told about a report that some barangay officials are hesitant to join police anti-drug operations, Zaplan explained that barangay captains are often placed in a very difficult situation because they are always suspected by their constituents of being the ones identifying drug pushers and users in their villages.

On the prospect of the current barangay officials being reelected, Zaplan said it’s time the current barangay officials be given a fresh mandate by their constituents, and they welcome it. (Leonardo Micua)

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