PDEA verifying info on 31 celebrities in drug ‘watch list’

The PDEA chief said many of those on the list are drug users while some are pushers. (File Photo: PDEA Top Stories/Facebook)

MANILA — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Tuesday said it is validating information on the alleged drug links of 31 showbiz personalities.

“Hindi pa po sila (nasa) narco list kaya lang tinitingnan natin ngayon. Mahirap kasi minsan yung ibang celebrities meron silang screen name at true name so tinitingnan natin baka mamaya yung pumasok doon sa narco list true name pero hindi natin kilala, yun pala yung artista (We are checking on it. It is a bit difficult because other celebrities have screen names and true names. We check because the true names might be on the narco list and then we will find out that this is the name of this celebrity),” Aquino said in radio interview on Tuesday.

The PDEA chief said many of those on the list are drug users while some are pushers.

“Nakalagay po dito, merong user ng ecstasy, cocaine, shabu, party drugs. Karamihan party drugs. Mga sikat itong mga 31 na ito, wala akong nakikitang mga laos dito (It is indicated here that some are using ecstacy, cocaine, shabu, and party drugs. Many of them are using party drugs. These 31 celebrities are all famous. I don’t see anyone who is out of the limelight),” he added.

Aquino, however, expressed frustration as some of the names in their list are known to portray wholesome roles.

At present, Aquino said PDEA is focused on revalidating information on politicians allegedly involved in illegal drugs.

He, however, said that once they are done with narco-politicians, they will then release the names of judges, prosecutors, celebrities and media personalities who have drug links upon completion of their validation process.