More names of showbiz personalities or celebrities are now included in the list of drug personalities.
The Philippine National Police reported that twenty four more names of celebrities have been added to the list of drug personalities.
The said figure include television hosts and musicians who are allegedly linked to illegal drug trade.
Before flying to Japan for his working visit on Tuesday, President Rodrigo Duterte announced he is now holding the third narco-list.
Police Chief Supt. Oscar Albayalde, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director said, this brings to the total of 54 famous TV personalities who were found to have alleged links in the trade of the illegal substance.
“After a workshop by the intelligence community in NCRPO, other personalities were identified and included in the watch list. The latest is the one submitted to the PNP (Philippine National Police) chief yesterday,” Albayalde said.
PNP chief Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa said on Monday he submitted 30 names of celebrities involved in drugs to Duterte. But according to Dela Rosa, it’s up to the President if he would publicly name the TV personalities involved.
In a separate interview at the Manila Overseas Press Club (MOPC) on Tuesday night, Albayalde said, “the celebrities on the list are famous. The list includes those formerly involved in drugs. Some of them came from the music industry.”
Albayalde also confirmed there were also TV hosts on the list.
Since the list was based on intelligence information, Albayalde admitted the validation process on the alleged involvement of the celebrities on drugs will still continue.
“These are intelligence information. When you say intelligence information, it can be true or not. Most of the information came from arrested drug suspects so this as to be validated thoroughly,” he said.
“If ever these information are positive and validated, we can file a case or file a search warrant,” he added.