DAD TO RESIGN IF PROVEN AS 'DRUG PROTECTOR'

ILOILO -- City Councilor Erwin Plagata vowed to resign if anyone could
present substantial evidence that would positively link him to the
protection of illegal drug trade in the city.

Though he was not directly implicated by Justice Secretary Gonzalez
Sr., when he said a city councilor is also one of the drug
protectors, Plagata felt he was the councilor being alluded to.

Chairman of the committee on police matters, Plagata said someone,
who had yearned to destroy his name before Gonzalez, designed the
allegation that he has connections with a certain "Odicta," whom
Gonzalez said was one of the persons involved with illegal drug trade
in the city.

Gonzalez, who expressed intention of wiping out illegal drugs in the
city, said in a previous interview that several police officers were
not the only ones involved with drug coddling, but were also joined
in by a city councilor. He however did not name the latter.

Gonzalez said an intelligence team from the DOJ will be conducting
the investigation against these persons. The results will then be
used in the DOJ's decision making.

In line with his commitment against illegal drugs, Gonzalez
reportedly earlier sent a directive to Police Regional Director
Isagani Cuevas that orders for the cleansing of the police rank from
illegal drugs.

Just last week, Gonzalez confirmed that he met with officials from
the PNP's Firearms and Explosives Division and ordered for the review
of firearm documents of "Odicta."

He said he has received reports that this Odicta, who is involved
with drug trade in the city, possesses numerous firearms, which he is
not sure if licensed.

Lawyer of Melvin Odicta, Edeljulio Romero, said if Gonzalez was
referring to his client, who owns among others a taxi business in the
city, they are very much ready to submit the former to an
investigation that Gonzalez was saying.

However, Romero denied that his client is engaged with drug-related
business other than those he presently manages.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Regional Chief Roybel
Sanchez, refused to affirm that a certain Odicta is one of the drug
personalities in Iloilo City.

He however claimed that Barangay Malipayon, City Proper, where Melvin
Odicta resides, is one of the drug-infested areas and serve as one
of the targets of their anti-illegal drugs operation.
the targets of their anti-illegal drugs operation.