NARCOTICS FUNDING REBELS, POLITICIANS -- POLICE

The illegal drugs trade plays a large part in filling up war chests of
politicians and funding armed campaigns of Maoist guerrillas and Islamic
militants in the Philippines, the country's police chief said Thursday.

"'Narco-politics' is not entirely a new phenomenon," Director General
Jesus Verzosa added in a statement. "It happened in the past and, chances
are, it can happen again if law enforcers, and the community will lower
their guard to prevent drug syndicates from influencing political
activities in some parts of the country."

Narco-politics is a practice where drug syndicates bankroll the electoral
campaign of political candidates in exchange for the syndicate's
protection.

Verzosa said the Philippine National Police has made the battle against
narco-politics a priority.

Another priority, he added, is fighting "the phenomenon of
'narco-terrorism.'"

Verzosa cited the "involvement of some domestic threat groups in the
production and trafficking of illegal drugs," including the communist New
People's Army (NPA) and the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf.

"It is a fact that some of the largest marijuana plantations we have
discovered are maintained by the communist New People's Army in the
hinterlands," he said.

"In some parts of southern Philippines [Mindanao], the Abu Sayyaf has
been known to be behind the distribution of shabu," Verzosa added,
referring to methamphetamine hydrochloride.

"It cannot be denied that these groups derive revenue from these illicit
activities to fund their operations," he said, without elaborating.

The 5,000-member NPA has been waging a 40-year Maoist guerrilla campaign,
while the Abu Sayyaf has been blamed for some of the country's worst
terrorist attacks, including bombings and kidnappings.

Verzosa said the police were concerned by the potential influence of drug
money in politics as well as in the corruption of police officers.

"We are committed to run after suspects engaged in the illegal drug
trade, including our own personnel who [may be] involved directly or
indirectly in trafficking of illegal drugs," he added.