‘I am not a protector of illegal drug (syndicates).’
Days after Mabalacat City Mayor Marino “Boking” Morales convened the Peace and Order Council in a bid to intensify the drive against illegal drugs, the local chief executive himself had been included in the list of “narco-politicians” identified by President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday but insisted “he is not a protector of illegal drug” syndicates.
“I am willing to undergo any investigation to prove my innocence para naman ma proteksiyonan natin ang integrity of my family, myself, and the people who had trusted me and voted for me for the past years,” according to Morales.
“I am innocent and have no involvement with illegal rugs now or in the past,” said Morales. “I will cooperate in any investigation or inquiry in order to clear my name and my family.”
Morales “is confident that the truth will in the end vindicate me.”
Morales has already reported to Pampanga Governor Lilia Pineda and DILG Director Rita Gotiangco.
Morales said he supports Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs and is even planning to establish the Mabalacat Drug Rehabilitation Center, the first ever public facility that aims to treat victims of illegal drugs. The rehabilitation center also seeks to provide livelihood opportunities to the patients.
Morales has reiterated his support in the campaign against illegal drugs.
“Asahan po ninyo mahal na pangulo na kasama ninyo ako na lalaban sa illegal drugs at pupunta po kami sa inyo upang ma-explain namin sa inyo na ako po ay walang koneksiyon o hindi po ako protector ng illegal drugs dito sa ating bayan. Matagal na po nating nilalabanan ito.”
“Ang ating pong mga kababayan ay nasisiyahan na kayo ay dedicated upang ma-eliminate ang problemang ito. Ang kailangan po dito ay kayo, kayo ang solusyon sa problemang ito at handa po kaming tumulong sa inyong adhikain para po sa ikabubuti ng ating bansa.”
Here is the complete list of politicians and judges identified by Duterte:
In Luzon, incumbent mayors Reynaldo Flores, Naquilian, La Union; Dante Garcia, Tubao, La Union; Martin de Guzman, Bauang, La Union; Marjorie April Salazar, Lasam, Cagayan; Goto Violago, San Rafael, Bulacan; Marino Morales, Mabalacat, Pampanga; and Felix Castillo, Langiden, Abra.
The former mayors are as follows: Eufronio Derigel, Agoo, La Union; Jesus Celeste, Bolinao, Pangasinan; Jose “Pepe” Miranda, Santiago City, Isabela; Vicente Amante, San Pablo City, Laguna; Ryan Dolor, Bauan, Batangas; and former vice mayor Edgardo Trinidad, El Nido, Palawan.
In the Visayas, incumbent mayors Alex Sentina, Calinog, Iloilo; Julius Ronald Pacificador, Hamtic, Antique; Jed Mabilog, Iloilo City; Wilfredo Bietbeta, Carles, Iloilo; Marcelo Malones, Maasin, Iloilo; Hector Ong, Laoang, Northern Samar; Rolando Espinosa, Albuera, Leyte; and Beda Cañamaque, Basay, Negros Oriental.
The former mayors are as follows: Michael Rama, Cebu City; and Madeleine Ong, Laoang, Northern Samar.
The judges are identified as: Judge Mupas of Dasmariñas, Cavite; Judge Reyes, Baguio City; Judge Savilo, RTC Branch 13, Iloilo City; Judge Casiple, Kalibo, Aklan; Judge Rene Gonzales, MTC, (unknown province); Judge Natividad, RTC Calbayog City; Judge Ezekiel Dagala, MTC, Dapa Siargao.
Duterte has ordered policemen or soldiers assigned to the identified politicians to report back to their superiors within 24 hours.
The judges allegedly involved in illegal drugs were also ordered to report to the Supreme Court within 24 hours.