MANILA - No less than the head of the Philippine National Police is urging the public to reveal more information about allegations that high-ranking police generals are connected to the illegal drug trade.

A DZMM report quoted PNP chief Director General Ricardo Marquez as saying he wants more information on Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte's allegations that at least three high-ranking police officials are allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade.

The PNP chief said it would better if there is evidence that would prove the allegations against the generals. Any police officer found to have links with drug cartels will not be coddled but will face charges, he said.

Duterte, who is running for president in the May 2016 polls, earlier said he has intelligence reports that at least three high-ranking police officials are involved in drugs. He, however, refused to name the police generals.

Asked if the police generals are in power, he said: "Some. Kapag ako na ang presidente, ako na ang kaharap nila."

He said one reason why he wants to double the salaries of police officers is because some cops are tempted to coddle criminal syndicates because of the financial rewards.

Duterte earlier claimed that some government operatives are plotting to set up a shabu laboratory in his city in order to discredit him and derail his presidential bid.

Duterte claimed he received intelligence reports stating that top operatives from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and other agencies have arrived in his city to build a fake shabu laboratory.

READ: Duterte bares alleged plot to discredit him using shabu lab