MANILA — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Friday filed criminal and administrative charges before the Office of the Ombudsman against an incumbent barangay (village) captain in Malabon City who is included in the narco list for his alleged involvement in illegal drugs.
Chairman Alvin Mañalac of Barangay Tinajeros, Malabon City, was charged for his failure to perform his duty in fighting illegal drugs in his community.
Mañalac was also charged for violation of Republic Act No. 9165, or the “Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002”, and violation of Article 171 or falsification by public officer, employee or notary, of the Revised Penal Code, as well as gross negligence and dereliction of duty, gross neglect of duty, grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.
PDEA National Capital Region Director Ismael Fajardo Jr. said in an interview said that government law enforcers are convinced that the Mañalac has neglected his resposibilities and duties as village chairman.
“Kumbinsido ang PDEA at DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government) na nagpabaya si Mañalac sa kanyang tungkulin sa pagsugpo ng illegal drugs sa kanyang barangay (the PDEA and DILG are convinced that Manalac was remissed in his duty to eradicate illegal drugs in his village),” Fajardo said.
“Siya (Mañalac) ang responsible dahil sya ang barangay captain na accountable officer (He is the responsible because he is the barangay captain who is an accountable officer),” he added.
“Respondent Alvin Mañalac failed to take appropriate measures to implement provisions of RA 9165, including abatement of nuisances as mandated by Memorandum Circular No. 2009-09 dated January 29, 2009 issued by the Office of the Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government,” the PDEA said in its complaint.
“Mañalac has also violated Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) Regulation No. 2, Series of 2004 in declaring Office of Barangay Tinarejos as Drug-Free Workplace in the absence of a Drug-Free Workplace Committee and for his failure to submit documentary requirements for application of drug-free status,” the complaint read.
The case stemmed from the discovery of a clandestine shabu and ecstacy laboratory in Malabon City last April 13.
In an interview, DILG Undersecretary for Barangay Affairs Martin Diño said Mañalac failed to put in his Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council report the names of the suspected pushers and users in his community.
“Nabigo din si Mañalac na ilagay sa kanyang Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council o BADAC report ang identity ng mga pushers at users sa kanyang barangay sa kabila ng mga inisyung search warrants bilang mga protector at coddler (Mañalac also failed to include in his BADAC report the identities of the pushers and users in his barangay despite the search warrants issued as protectors and coddlers),” Diño said.
The DILG has filed cases against 15 barangay captains who did not submit their respective BADAC report, he added. (PNA)
