PDEA seeks public support to identify drug syndicates’ poll bets

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Central Visayas (PDEA-7) sought the public's help to report candidates who are receiving support from illegal drug syndicates for the May 2025 polls. Leia Alcantara, spokesperson of PDEA-7, said Tuesday that political aspirants are under close monitoring to ensure that no drug money is funding their candidacy. She said the government would not allow individuals who have links to illegal drugs influence the outcome of the local and national elections. 'Drug syndicates would try to influence the outcome of the elections. They would tie up with the politicians they would support. If the politician wins, they become indebted to the drug syndicates,' she said in a media briefing. PDEA considers politicians with links to drug syndicates as high-value targets due to their critical roles in protecting the illegal trade, Alcantara said. She assured that PDEA would be on high alert to track illegal drug operations which may influence the outcome of the elections. Source: Ph ilippines News Agency