NDF Eastern Visayas: Ongs not involved in illegal drugs

By Romeo Ranoco via REUTERS

Philippines - The National Democratic Front (NDF)-Eastern Visayas has cleared Northern Samar Rep. Edwin Ong and his uncle, Northern Samar Gov. Jose Ong, of any links to illegal drugs.

“There is no truth and factual basis in the allegations of the Ongs’ participation in the illegal drugs trade in the province of Northern Samar. If the Ongs were involved in illegal drug trade, we will certainly not be blind and we would have definitely taken immediate action,” said Fr. Santiago “Ka Sanny” Salas, NDF-Eastern Visayas spokesperson.

The official statement of NDF-Eastern Visayas puts to rest the illegal drugs allegations against the governor and the lawmaker.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Region 8 in Eastern Visayas also declared that the two Ongs are not involved in any illegal drug activities.

PDEA Region 8 Director Laurefel Gabales refuted allegations against the Ongs, saying he ordered his men to investigate them based on reports that reached his office.

After the investigation, Gabales said they could not find any evidence that would link the Ongs to illegal drugs.

Gabales said he received reports on the Ongs’ alleged illegal activities before the May 9 elections, the reason why PDEA Region 8 immediately checked the information.

According to Gabales, the accusations which surfaced before the elections against Rep. Ong and Gov. Ong are baseless.

“Actually yung balita na yan ay bago pa mag election. And based sa aming mga reports dito sa lugar hindi naman involved ang mga Ong sa illegal drugs dito sa Northern Samar. Wala kaming nakitang kahit konting link ang mga Ong dyan (sa illegal drugs), wala kahit konting link sa drugs na nakikita,” said Gabales.

He said the Ongs are active in supporting PDEA’s anti-illegal drugs campaign in Northern Samar, adding that it was a political reason why a political rival linked them to illegal drugs.

“In my own personal opinion doon yan sa politics talaga, kasi yung tumakbong governor nitong nakaraang may elections ay dating NDF na pari, pero natalo. I forgot the name. So, yun ang first impression ko, politics talaga. Second, pina-check ko talaga kung may single link ang mga Ong sa illegal drugs, pero wala kaming nakikita,” Gabales said. with reports from Florante Rosales via RH News