PHILIPPINE DRUG Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director General Aaron N. Aquino warned politicians in the controversial narco-list that they may face charges if they leave the country without proper authorization or violate the terms of such authorization. “First of all, we should know if they were authorized to travel abroad, because they should be authorized first by DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government)… then we will find out if there are some violations in their travel,” said Mr. Aquino, speaking in mixed English and Filipino, in a phone interview with BusinessWorld on Wednesday, March 20. According to a recent report, Sinacaban Mayor Crisinciano Mahilac, one of the 46 alleged narco-politicians, left the country. DILG Spokesperson Jonathan E. Malaya said, “Unless a hold departure order or watchlist order is issued by a competent court or by DOJ (Department of Justice), the foreign travel of mayor in the narco-list is still covered by the provisions of the Local Government Code… So long as he complies with it and there is no legal and compelling reason to prohibit him, he may be allowed to travel.” — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

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