Drugs for election funds? PNP probing local execs

MANILA, Philippines — Several local chief executives are under investigation for drug trafficking to finance their campaigns in the midterm elections in 2025, the chief anti-narcotics officer of the Philippine National Police (PNP) revealed yesterday.

Citing intelligence reports, PNP Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) director Brig. Gen. Eleazar Matta warned that money sourced from illegal drugs would be used in the upcoming elections, with local chief executives as perpetrators.

“We are validating and conducting intelligence operations against those local government executives involved in the distribution or proliferation of illegal drugs in our country,” Matta told a news briefing at Camp Crame.

He said the politicians plan to use the drug money to fund their election campaign.

Matta said an informant told the PDEG that one mayor on the watch list procures about three kilos of shabu every two weeks, which is delivered to the community.

“Our informant has positively identified this mayor,” Matta said.

Former president Rodrigo Duterte’s controversial war on drugs had listed certain politicians and other government officials as high-value targets.

Asked if corrupt local chief executives involved in illegal drugs are back to their old ways, Matta replied, mostly in Filipino, that it had become “business as usual, so we have to stop it.”

He stressed that their list is separate from the narcolist of Duterte.

Matta refused to give a ballpark figure on the number of local politicians currently being monitored, a majority of whom are mayors and their associates.

“There are mayors, or protégés of local politicians identified with the mayor,” he said.

Asked from what regions the politicians are located, Matta said they are all over the country.

Informants told the PDEG quantities of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu will be smuggled into the country through seaside entry or being floated at sea.

The illegal drugs will then be picked up for distribution in communities, through the local officials.

Matta said they are sharing the information with the public to make them aware that some local politicians are benefiting from illegal drugs.

“Watch out for the mayors, their