Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Fifty-seven celebrities are included in the so-called “narco list” of the Philippine National Police. That number went up from 54 as earlier announced by Philippine National Police Chief Ronald Dela Rosa.
National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Director C/Supt. Oscar Albayalde said on Tuesday the celebrities on the narco list are drug users, who at most may share their supply with friends, but none are drug pushers.
The head of NCRPO said the list is constantly being validated by the police. He added it is not being used as evidence against a celebrity, but only as reference for case build-up.
“Yung watch list na yun for intelligence build-up, for adjudication din either ma-confirm or deny yung allegations against them,” he said.
[Translation: The watch list is for intelligence build-up, for adjudication if the allegations are either confirmed or denied.]
He clarified celebrities are not given special treatment — as with any drug suspect. Albayalde said if the police has enough evidence against anyone on the list, they will conduct operations against that person.
Drug testing
Albayalde encouraged celebrities to undergo voluntary drug tests, but these have to be done by the Health Department or with a police personnel present to ensure it is credible.
When asked about celebrities who — prior to a drug test — may wait for days to cleanse themselves of traces of the drug, Albayalde said there nothing wrong with this as long as they stop using drugs entirely.
Dela Rosa previously said the PNP is looking into the possibility of holding an Oplan Tokhang (Knock and Plead) for celebrities allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade.
Last September and October, two celebrities were arrested by the police for drug activities. Sexy actress Krista Miller is facing charges after she was arrested in an anti-drug operation, where a sachet of shabu and marked money was confiscated. Actor Mark Anthony Fernandez was nabbed for possession of a kilo of marijuana.
