FOR DEFENDING DRUG SUSPECT: LABRA CRITICIZES COUNCILOR FOR GIVING
LEGAL ASSISTANCE

Extending legal assistance to a recently arrested drug-using suspect
drew some flak for councilor Gerry Carillo from a police official.

After Mayor Tomas Osmena the other day warned Carillo from using his
influence in defending a drug suspect, Supt. Paul Labra, head of the
Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Bureau, yesterday criticized
the act of the councilor.

Labra yesterday said that even if Carillo is a lawyer by profession,
his being a public official should have restrained himself from
assisting a drug suspect, out of delicadeza (courtesy).

Labra said Carillo, for whatever reason he had in helping the suspect,
should have worked together with the law enforcers instead in the
campaign against illegal drugs.

Carillo, for his part, assured that he would not use his office to
influence the results of the case, saying he helped arrested suspect
Ronald Dimaisip, pro bono, because he believed the man is innocent and
that the arresting officers made a mistake.

Ronald is the husband of Carillo's close friend and election
campaigner. Last January 27, tanods from barangay Busay arrested
Ronald and a certain JP Cabahug during a fiesta celebration.

Ronald and JP were manning a sound system at the time. When JP was
arrested for alleged possession of marijuana sticks, Ronald allegedly
tried to interfere so the tanods arrested him also as an alleged
accomplice of JP.

The councilor said his legal services will be limited only to
assisting Ronald while in police custody and that he would no longer
represent the latter in court.

Carillo said he has been a strong advocate also in the anti-drug
campaign but he also believed that the innocent should not be imprisoned.

Carillo earlier said that the law allows city council members to
practice their profession unless the case is against the council
itself, or the local government.