By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

After President Rodrigo Duterte yesterday cleared the release of a list containing the names of politicians allegedly involved in illegal drugs, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Region 6 (PDEA-6) is currently awaiting official orders to reveal the individuals listed.

PDEA-6 Director Alex Tablate said, at the moment, validation is still ongoing as information gathered has been sent to the PDEA central office.

In the Western Visayas, Tablate said they have 13 politicians on their list. He said the information came from recently-arrested drug personalities.

The local PDEA chief also pointed out, a listed politician does not necessarily mean they are participating in trafficking illegal drugs, but may be operating as a protector of the drug trade.

Yesterday, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Duterte spoke with Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año on Monday and ordered him to release the list.

Año, meanwhile, stated the list will be released next week./DGB, WDJ