By NITZ ARANCON
and LITO RULONA
Correspondents
FORMER Marawi mayor Fahad Umar Salic submitted himself to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) here on Monday night in response to his inclusion in the watchlist read by President Duterte last weekend.
He however vehemently denied any links to the illegal drug trade.
PDEA regional director Adrian Albareño said Salic showed up at the Agency’s regional office at 6 pm with his lawyer.
“I just wanted to clear my name. Dili kini tinuod. Naisipan ko na pumanta dito sa PDEA-10 para ma-clear ang name ko na wala akong kinalaman sa drugs,” Salic said.
He said he had to go to the PDEA regional office because he felt he had no other option.
Albareño said Salic signed an extrajudicial confession, and then submitted to a drug test. The former mayor tested negative for substance abuse.
Salic gave the PDEA vital information about people involved in illegal drug activities, according to Albareño. He however said the information given by Salic would need validation.
Albareño said Salic strongly denied that he was involved in illegal drugs and that he wanted to change portions of his affidavit of undertaking.
“Gusto niya bagohin ang kanyang affidavit… para mag-explain siya na hindi siya involved sa illegal drugs. Hindi ma man puwede yun. Bakit nag-surender siya kung hindi na man siya involved?” Albareño asked rhetorically.
Albareño said he sent PDEA Director General Isidro Lapeña a report about Salic not being serious and not being cooperative.
This means, said Albareño, that Salic’s name would remain in the watchlist.
Salic said he and his relatives were hurt when Duterte named him as being involved in illegal drug activities in Lanao del Sur.
Salic also challenged anyone with evidence against him to come forward and show proof.
“Dapat lumantad sila to prove na-engaged ako sa illegal drugs, o kahit sinong tao na nagsasabi na nagbigay sila ng pera na mag-protect ako sa kanilang illegal activities,” he said.
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