By NITZ ARANCON Correspondent CONTROVERSIAL alleged smuggler and self-confessed Lynard Allan Bigcas claims to be a reformed man, and he plans of becoming a preacher. Bigcas, who became a controversial figure in 2011 after he was linked by authorities to big-time car and motorcycle smuggling here, was among those who joined a recollection organized by the Roman Catholic archdiocese at Mt. Carmen Church in Carmen. Bigcas has confessed to having been addicted to illegal drugs for 15 years. “Nasayod na man ang tanan nga drug user ko sa una, unsa pa may akong itago?” he asked rhetorically. Bigcas said his substance abuse worsened after the Federal Bureau of Investigation  (FBI) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) seized his vehicles in Kauswagan, and in Talakag town in Bukidnon several years back. “Niadtong higayona,  dako akong alkansi, gusto nako maghikog, gusto lang ko magsigig siyop sa drugs, silbing palipas oras na lang ba,” Bigcas said. He was subsequently linked to a shooting incident in Davao, and then arrested by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for drugs and firearms possession. In 2013, he ran for governor of Bukidnon, and lost to Gov. Jose Ma. Zubiri. Now, Bigcas claimed he has already mended his ways, and that he was committed to helping other people aware that illegal drugs would hurt their lives. “Nagbasol ko, miluhod ko sa Gino-o ug nangayo kog pasalyo hangtud nga  nakabalik nako sa akong normal nga  lakaw sa kinabuhi,” he said. Bigcas has become an active member of a Baptist church in Lapasan,  and he said his wish is to become a “Born Again” pastor. He said when he was “born again,” he avoided friends who were into illegal drugs. “Wala man kon mo-agi ug rehab. Ang akong gihimo, nag-usab ko sa akong kinabuhi, naglikay ko sa pakig-associate sa akong mga  barkada nga  drug addict,” he said. Bigcas said this as he talked to reporters at the sidelines during the recollection attended by some 100 self-confessed drug pushers and users who responded to the government’s war on illegal drugs. Msgr. Perseus Cabonoc, vicar general of the local Roman Catholic Archdiocese, said the recollection is part of its “Jubilee of Mercy for Drug Responders” ministry. The “responders” were joined by family members in attending lectures given by priests. The priests heard their confessions, and then they were given counseling before taking part in a procession from the Mt. Carmel church to the St. Augustine cathedral where they heard mass. “Ato silang gialalayan aron ilang ma-kontrolar ang ilang bisyo  kay dili man nila malikayan hangtud nga mamaayo gyud ang lakaw sa ilang kinabuhi,”  Cabonoc said. He said the recollection was a result of over a month of cooperation among the archdiocese, City Social Welfare and Development, law enforcers and the Department of Health.