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Monday, October 23, 2006
'Surprise' awaits 2 cops in drug trade
By Ben O. Tesiorna
DAVAO CITY -- Mayor Rodrigo Duterte is springing a surprise on the two policemen assigned at the San Pedro Police Precinct whom he claims has had dealings with illegal drug syndicates supplying shabu to Davao.
"I have something for them (respondents). I will surprise them on Monday," Duterte said in weekly television program Sunday.
The mayor said he is personally supervising the drafting of the complaints against the two policemen, which are expected to be filed Monday.
Duterte said he saw the earlier draft of the complaint made by the police against PO3s Enrique Ayao Jr. and Arnold Dechavez, but he said he was not satisfied with it and would suggest ways to improve it.
Apparently, Duterte is intent on putting the two policemen behind bars for a long time and dug up other cases against the two, including those they committed when they were still with the Heinous Crime and Investigation Section (HCIS).
Duterte also said they got hold of the testimony of the maid of slain engineer Luis Francisco who could testify on the involvement of the two cops in the drug trade.
The mayor said they also have a lady witness who was arrested by the respondents and made their sex slave.
Duterte said the complaint affidavit will also reveal the identity of a government lawyer suspected to be involved in the illegal trade as well.
The mayor, at the same time, advised Parang Mayor Talib Abo Sr. against pushing on with a plan to meet with him soon.
Duterte said he is still not in the mood to hear Abo's side.
"I'm avoiding him right now. Don't come here. I'm not in the mood to be talking with someone I'm angry at," Duterte said.
Mayor Abo earlier appealed to the authorities to observe due process and end dirty politics, which he blamed for the controversy hounding him.
Abo bewailed last Friday how his name was dragged into the controversy when Mayor Duterte identified him as the one involved in illegal drug trade in the city.
"I am deeply saddened by the involvement of my name in illegal drugs trade. This issue is very shocking as it broke out during Ramadan. As a Muslim, this is not acceptable to me and my family," Abo said.
He said the incident not only affected him, but his family as well.
Abo denied allegations hurled against him, saying Duterte was unfair since he was never accused of or convicted in any court for alleged involvement in illegal drug trade.
"This isn't a new issue but a recurring one being pinned on me to destroy my character as mayor of Parang. I have nothing to hide before men and before Allah. I'm ready and willing to aid any investigation on this matter. My conscience is clear," Abo added.
He believed his political opponents were responsible for the controversy, saying Duterte may have been fed wrong information by his political opponents in Maguindanao.
Duterte however said Sunday that he has no reason to doubt the integrity and credibility of the documents coming from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
"I will not question the integrity of the documents because those are validated and filtered by the PDEA," Duterte said.
In an earlier telephone interview, Duterte also scoffed at Abo's claims that the issue is but a political ploy to destroy the town mayor.
Duterte said he was not interested in running for mayor of Parang and was sure that Abo was also not interested in the top Davao City post. (Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)
(October 23, 2006 issue)
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