The Philippine National Police (PNP) monitors around 430 barangay officials for their alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade.
PGen. Benjamin Acorda, PNP chief, said on Thursday, May 25, said that most of the suspected 'narco-politicians' hail from the Western Visayas region.
"They are subject to intelligence operations. We are hoping that this will be reduced in the coming days," Acorda told reporters during an event in Quezon City.
"Hopefully, those involved would eventually stop. If not, they will be subject to police operations," he added.
Acorda said that some of these barangay officials operate as either pushers, protectors, or financiers of the illegal drug trade.
"I want to take this opportunity to appeal to voters not to consider candidates, who have involvement in illegal drugs, to become our next set of barangay officials," the PNP chief urged the public.
