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Saturday, February 21, 2004
Aliño explains Garcia's exclusion in anti-drug caravan
By Ruby P. Silubrico
DRUG-murder suspect Wendell Garcia was excluded from the government's anti-drug caravan as he has not yet undergone full rehabilitation and also has pending criminal cases in court.
This was explained by Chief Supt. George Aliño, police regional director, after Garcia's part in Friday's program of Lakbay Laban sa Droga 2004 at the Iloilo Sports Complex was removed by the organizers.
Garcia's lawyer earlier gave him the go-signal to participate in the anti-drug caravan by giving a talk on his experience regarding his involvement in illegal drugs and the situation and impact of illegal drugs in Iloilo.
Aliño, however, said they prefer speakers who already underwent rehabilitation and reformed their ways.
"In the case of Garcia, he is still being detained at BJMP and facing several charges," the police official said.
In lieu of Garcia, the Police Regional Office (PRO) 6 invited former drug dependents Ricar Hechanova Ramos and Mark Alvin Jintado, both of Roxas City, to share their experiences.
Garcia was invited by Board Member Angel Briones, provincial Liga ng Mga Barangay president, to be one of the speakers in the government's anti-drug caravan.
The caravan, which already toured the entire Western Visayas this week, is jointly organized by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), PNP, local government units and the Liga ng mga Barangay.
Sources earlier said the police excluded Garcia as they are worried he would reveal the policemen involved in illegal drug operations.
Garcia, who is now facing murder charges for the death of teener PJ Espinosa, is jailed at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) District Jail in Ungka, Jaro.
His remaining drug case is still pending before the Court of Appeals.
Dubbed Iloilo City's top drug dealer, Garcia has been charged seven times for violation of the anti-illegal drugs law.
His six cases, however, were dismissed.
(February 21, 2004 issue)
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