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Saturday, February 21, 2004
Drug suspect shunned from anti-drug drive
* Wendell Garcia is supposed to speak on his experience regarding his involvement in illegal drugs and the situation and impact of illegal drugs in Iloilo
* Sources say the police are worried Garcia might reveal to the public the policemen involved in illegal drug operations
ORGANIZERS of Lakbay Laban sa Droga 2004 in Iloilo excluded drug-murder suspect Wendell Garcia from the program launching Friday at the Iloilo Sports Complex where he is supposed to be one of the speakers.
Garcia, now detained at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) District Jail in Ungka, Jaro for murder, has been tagged as Iloilo's top drug dealer.
Six of his seven drug cases, however, have been dismissed. The only one left is pending before the Court of Appeals.
He is now facing charges for the death of teener PJ Espinosa.
Garcia was earlier tapped by Board Member Angel Briones, provincial Liga ng Mga Barangay president, to be one of the speakers in the government's anti-drug caravan jointly organized by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), PNP, local government units and the Liga ng mga Barangay.
The caravan will have its regional convergence in Iloilo City. From Roxas City this morning, it will proceed to Iloilo in the afternoon.
A rally was held in Bacolod City on February 16 while in Guimaras, February 17.
Experience
Garcia is supposed to speak on his experience regarding his involvement in illegal drugs and the situation and impact of illegal drugs in Iloilo.
Garcia's lawyer Edeljulio Romero already agreed with Briones to allow his client to participate in the anti-drug campaign.
Romero earlier said there is no legal impediment in Garcia's participation in the anti-drug campaign.
But after the Police Regional Office (PRO) 6 reportedly reviewed the program, Garcia's part was deleted.
Until Thursday afternoon, Briones said he was still asking for an explanation from the police regarding Garcia's exclusion from the program.
Policemen involved
Sources said the police are worried Garcia might reveal to the public the policemen involved in illegal drug operations.
The names of these policemen and other personalities who were protecting Garcia are reportedly listed in a "blue book".
Garcia was busted by authorities several times for selling shabu in the waterfront area.
Based on the records of the defunct Narcotics Group, Garcia is among the top drug traffickers in Western Visayas, next to the Cuadra group, and followed by the Quimsing, Javellana and Zerrudo groups. JDB/RPS
(February 20, 2004 issue)
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