The Philippine National Police (PNP) will not hesitate to reveal into public the details of its investigation on the presidential candidate who was accused by President Duterte of using cocaine.
PNP chief General Dionardo Carlos said Friday, Nov. 26, that information gathering and validation of the Drug Enforcement Group (DEG) were still on-going for the said alleged cocaine-using presidentiable.
“Inaatas ko na sa PDEG ang pag-siyasat at pagkalap ng sapat na impormasyon at ebidensya sa tinutukoy ng ating Presidente at kung ano man ang naging resulta ay handa ang PNP na ito'y isapubliko (I entrusted to PDEAG the investigation and gathering of sufficient information and evidence on the candidate alluded to by the President, and the PNP is ready to make public whatever the result will be),” Carlos stated.
Since last week, several presidential candidates have submitted themselves to voluntary drug test after the allegation of Duterte that there was a presidential candidate who uses cocaine.
Among them were Senator Panfilo Lacson and his running mate Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III as well as Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso who were tested before the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
Meanwhile, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. got tested in a private hospital and submitted the results to the PDEA headquarters. Marcos’ running mate and presidential daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte also underwent a drug testing.
All of the candidates tested negative for illegal drugs.
“As more candidates have submitted themselves to voluntary drug tests, it should be understood that the PNP can only commence investigation when a positive result is yielded in drug testing,” Carlos clarified.
He noted that the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 (RA 9165) also provides further police intervention in cases of confirmed drug use.
“We are also checking on the different police stations and units if there are local candidates who are requesting the PNP for a drug test. (There are) none so far,” he added.