'PDEA-Region 8's drug list, a hit list' – NDF-EV

The National Democratic Front-Eastern Visayas warned the public that the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-Region 8's recent release of drug personalities in Northern Samar and Leyte is a precursor for more rights violations and vigilante-style killings in the region.

The NDF-EV said the at least 50 names publicized by PDEA is not only a drug list but a 'hit list'. "It provides pretext to scale up surveillance, harassment, and Tokhang-like style of summary executions. It gives license to both fascist troops and goons of political clans to run amok in communities with the excuse of clearing them from drugs and advancing the twisted notion of 'peace and order' of the tyrannical regime."

The NDF-EV noted that the narcolisting scheme follows the pattern of political persecution among progressive and critical citizens, who are first tagged as "enemies of the state" and eventually killed by death squads formed and deployed by the military and police agents mantled with the "nanlaban" spiel.

"Nothing less is expected from the number one drug lord Duterte whose fascist vocabulary is only to 'kill, kill, kill.' Under his reign, the climate of impunity worsened like no other—lords of drug syndicates such as himself go unpunished while scores of petty drug dealers and urban poor settlers are deprived of their right to due process and left dead on the streets," NDF-EV added.

The NDF-EV said the narcolist may be used to justify political killings as "drug-related," especially as the 2022 national elections come closer.

"The narcolisting will be used by the Duterte administration to deftly manipulate the old-style patronage politics where mercenary goons of traditional politicians shoot opponents even in broad daylight. While fist-bumping with the likes of Matuguinao mayor Aran Boller who replicate his fascist pursuits in the region, Duterte can subdue other local politicians with the narcolist threat to propel his electoral maneuvers in the grassroots and rig the 2022 elections."

The NDF-EV called on the people to be vigilant with these "drug-clearing" operations under Oplan Tokhang and Oplan Double Barrel, saying that "clearing means killing" in Duterte's language. "Duterte is the biggest drug lord in the country who uses the police to monopolize the drug trade. We enjoin the people to condemn these senseless killings and pursue justice by frustrating his addiction to power and holding him accountable for his fascist crimes against the people," NDF-EV ended.

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