Narco-list not based on foreign wiretaps: Palace

Panelo clarified that he used the wrong word when he said last Tuesday that foreign governments “provided” wiretaps, noting that he merely made an “educated guess” by assuming so. (File Photo: Office of the Presidential Spokesperson/Facebook)

MANILA — Malacañang on Thursday denied reports that foreign governments were providing the Philippines with wiretapped information used as basis to create a list of politicians allegedly linked to the illegal drug trade.

“I will say that as far as I know, walang nagpo-provide sa atin ng impormasyon (there are no foreign governments providing us with information),” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a Palace briefing.

“I was not also making a statement na iyong (the) narco-list is based on that,” he added.

Panelo clarified that he used the wrong word when he said last Tuesday that foreign governments “provided” wiretaps, noting that he merely made an “educated guess” by assuming so.

“Yeah, educated guess – on what is happening in the world today. Countries whose survival depends on measures that they will undertake to preserve their territory or sovereignty will have to use that,” Panelo said.

He, however, said any information coming from foreign governments can be used as “lead” that could be further verified.

“I used the wrong word, what I really mean is, if any information is thrown to our lap, without us asking it in the course of anything, whether it’s coming from whomsoever, we can use that information as a lead – lead lang (just a lead),” Panelo said.

“‘Lead’ lang iyon, (it’s just a lead) because you cannot use it. Siyempre (Of course), you will have to conduct surveillance and then get evidence to nail him,” he added.

Panelo said the basis for narco-list, expected to be released next week, include information coming from drug surrenderers, arrested suspects, and surveillance from local law enforcement authorities.

“As I said in the last news briefing, it could come from information coming (from) the surrenderers, from those arrested and from surveillance,” Panelo said.

Panelo also assured that government will comply with the law, which prohibits the use of wiretaps.

“First, it’s the policy of the government to comply with the law. Wiretapping is illegal in this country, so that’s it,” Panelo said.