Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 4) — The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) seeks the Commission on Elections' help to disqualify politicians who are allegedly involved in corruption and illegal drugs in the 2019 midterm polls.

During the launch of DILG's anti-corruption drive Bantay Korapsyon program, Interior officer-in-charge Eduardo Año said he will send their recommendations to the Comelec as soon as they are done with the paperwork.

"We will submit our recommendations. If the Comelec will approve it, they will be disqualified," he said.

DILG will use the existing 'narco list' and the corruption reports against local officials through hotline 8888 and the presidential complaint desk. President Rodrigo Duterte in 2016 said the list contains 1,000 names of mayors, governors, congressmen, barangay captains, and police officers.

Año said since July 2016, around 300 local officials were either suspended or dismissed due to corruption allegations.

He added that the Philippine National Police - Criminal Investigation and Detection Group is investigating around 200 more.

In the 'narco list', at least 93 local officials holding posts in the Sangguniang Bayan up to Vice Governors posts were identified.

Election hotspots

Año said Comelec, the PNP, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines are now assessing areas that may be declared election hotspots as the poll season draws near.

"We have to put extra security measures because these are areas where clans, political groups try to control the area by killing each other, and eventually win the elected post," he said.

With the ambush of Sudipen, La Union Mayor Alexander Buquing and wife Vice Mayor Wendy Joy Buquing, Año said he will recommend the inclusion of La Union as possible election hotspot.

The DILG chief said the police are looking into politics as the main angle in the killing of Mayor Buquing.

Last May, former La Union Congressman Eufranio Eriguel was also killed in an ambush.

READ: PNP Chief confirms 7 election-related violent incidents

CNN Philippines' Gerg Cahiles contributed to this report.