- PDEA director Aaron Aquino revealed the list of celebrity personalities who are involved in the latest Drugs Watchlist
- A total of 31 Filipino actors and actresses were named by PDEA
- Actor Robin Padilla pleads to President Duterte not to reveal in public the names of the celebrities
President Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign, ever since he started his tenure in office, was his watch on the drug activity around the country. Since then, he already captured many known and high-ranking officials, and as he continues with this, he won’t let celebrities get off the hook, as well.
On March 27 (Wednesday), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) director General Aaron Aquino revealed the number of Filipino celebrities who are involved in the dealing and use of drugs. Accordingly, there are a total of 31 personalities in the government’s drugs watchlist, specifying 11 are females and 20 are males.
“Of the 31, I think eleven are actresses and the rest are actors.”
He added that almost all in the list are young actors and actresses, ranging in age from 20-30 years old.
“[Sa] thirty-one na yan, palagay ko tatlo lang yung matanda. All of them are young. Puro bata, at least 20 or 30 years old in age.”
However, Aquino stated that the list of celebrities who were included in the drugs watchlist will not be released without further confirmation and approval from the President.
“We can’t disclose the list to the public without undergoing some process of validation.”
In a separate event, in an interview with Robin Padilla by Inquirer.net, the actor appealed to President Rodrigo Duterte not to disclose the identities of celebrities that were included in the drug watchlist, stating that this issue can be settled professionally and privately.
“These people are taxpayers, and they also obey the law. I’m sure that whatever mistakes they might have committed could be sorted out in a more diplomatic way.”
Robin added that he was only talking about the users, who he thinks were just victims in this kind of activity.
“I am not talking about the pushers—they don’t have a place in this industry. I’m more concerned about the users, because I know that they are the victims here.”
“I cannot speak on behalf of these celebrities. I also don’t know how they will accept this news from the President. I will not be surprised if most of them would say this is a violation of their human rights.”
He then clarified that he does not in any way oppose with President Duterte’s campaign as he believes that this fight against drugs is the solution for better changes.
“But the President meant no ill will. This is what he has promised to do for us and the country. He is kind and just. He is giving these drug users a chance to change their ways.”
