President Duterte warned local officials to watch out for ex-members of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) who were dismissed from the service because of their alleged involvement in the drug trade.
“So itong mga tao na ito, bantayan ninyo kasi ito 'yong gagawa ng mga milagro kung wala na, lalo na sanay sa extortion, panghingi-hingi (So, these people you should watch out for because they will do unscrupulous things more so because they are used to extortion),” Duterte said during a pre-recorded address to the nation aired on Monday night.
The President was addressing the barangay captains of the possible places where these ex-PDEA members might be living or doing extortionist activities in their communities.
“Ito sila hindi na ito PDEA ha at kayong nakaalam niyan. Sabihin mo sa kanila itong binabasa ko na huwag kayo dito sa barangay magloko. At kung may makita kayo na misteryoso, report mo kaagad sa pulis or sa military (These people are not part of PDEA anymore. Tell them based on what I’m reading that you cannot do your activities here. If you see someone mysterious, report them to the police or military),” he said.
Duterte read the names of the dismissed PDEA officials because of grace misconduct and drug use. These are Francis Raymond R. Ogoy, intelligence officer; Aristeo Villamor Jr., intelligence officer I, Roger G. Junio, intelligence officer II; Joseph Abenir, administrative (aide) VI; and Theodore Barte, intelligence officer.
Duterte said local government units must not easily believe people who claim to be members of PDEA.
“Iyan ang nasanayan nilang trabaho at (They are used to that kind of work and) I see a very strong urge on their part to get money.”
The Chief Executive said these ex-PDEA officials only have “one life to live,” so they have a choice to change their lives after they were dismissed from service.
“Then find a good job or work, or at best, mag-negosyo ka na lang kung may pera ka. May pera ka na kasi alam mo itong mga ito, mga either extortion o kung ano-ano na lang (get into business if you have money. You have the money already because you know these people, they’ll get into either extortion or something else),” Duterte added.
Members of PDEA and the Philippine National Police (PNP) got into a bloody altercation last month over a failed drug bust.