Palma Urges President to Verify Suspected Drug Protectors’ Names

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma has urged President Rodrigo Duterte to conduct a thorough verification of the names of suspected drug protectors before releasing them to the public.

Palma said he was alarmed by the way the President released the names of politicians, policemen and judges who are allegedly involved in illegal drugs last Sunday.

The prelate praised Duterte’s bravery for revealing the names, but he expressed fear that some of them may have been placed there without thorough verification.

“While we appreciate their efforts against drugs, we also question the process on how those names came to be or how they were verified,” Palma said.

He said some personalities on the list are already dead.

Palma said he is also concerned that those on the list will lose face even though there are no charges filed against them.

“What if it’s not true? Because they’ve been exposed, how do you take back the shame if it turns out it’s not true?” Palma said.

He said the public might already presume that those on the list are guilty.

One of the names Duterte mentioned belongs to former Cebu City mayor Michael Rama.

Rama showed up at the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Manila last Monday to show he is ready to cooperate with authorities.

Rama said he talked to PDEA Director General Isidro Lapeña for an hour and 30 minutes. (PNA)
LAP/EB/RSM