SUSPECT SOLON AGREES TO TURN STATE WITNESS AGAINST COPS

Persuaded by his parents and elder brother, suspected big-time drug
trafficker Willy Solon has reportedly agreed to become a state witness
against the maritime policemen whom he accused of pocketing two kilos
of shabu.

In his Aug. 9 letter to Rep. Antonio Cuenco, Santos "Boyet" Solon Jr.
said the decision of his younger brother to become a state witness was
final.

"I asked him several times if he won't change his mind. Willy said his
decision is final," read Santos' letter faxed to Sun.Star yesterday.

A source told Sun.Star that Solon, now detained at the Cebu City jail,
is willing to undergo the polygraph test and execute an affidavit.

The lawyer of four maritime policemen told the Philippine Drug
Enforcement Agency (PDEA) that he would not allow his clients to
undergo a lie detector test-unless Solon executes an affidavit and
undergoes a polygraph test as well.

"It would be most unfair that only our clients will be subjected to a
polygraph test without any written accusations against them to speak
of," read the letter from the Yosores law firm signed by Delon Richel
Ramon B. Urot.

Solon's affidavit will make formal his accusation that Senior Insp.
Roger Mangaoan, PO3 Loreto Banilad, PO2 Henry Deluna and PO1 Napoleon
Taneo kept two kilos out of four kilos seized from his bag at Pier 5,
Cebu City last July 28.

Protection

In his letter, Santos told Cuenco that he and his parents, Santos Sr.
and Francisca, visited Willy at the Bagong Buhay Rehabilitation Center
last Monday.

At first, Solon was hesitant to give in to their appeal to apply for
the government's witness protection program, Santos said.

Santos said his brother's information would unmask the drug lords
responsible for the drug shipment.

"He was hesitant at first because he was afraid he would have to face
Mr. Archival," the letter read.

Santos was referring to Solon's private lawyer Noel Archival, Cuenco
said.

House

Archival earlier denied that Solon carried the illegal stuff, saying
it was only shown to him by his arresting officers while they were
inside a downtown inn.

"If that is the case, maybe it's better for Willy to hire another
lawyer. He must replace his present lawyer," Cuenco said.

Cuenco said he would let the PDEA 7 complete its investigation.

"But if they still face a blank wall, the House committee on dangerous
drugs will come in," he said.

Cuenco, who was in Manila, got the letter a day after he met the
Solons in his residence on M. Velez St., Cebu City over the weekend.