Town mayor denies drug links

CEBU, Philippines - Mayor Fritz Diaz of Siaton town in Negros Oriental wanted to clarify that he was not aware of, and nobody told him about his being in the second list of public officials who are allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade.

Diaz issued the clarification in the wake of criticisms against his being so defensive and that he preempted a public announcement by President Rodrigo Duterte where his name is supposed to be included.

The mayor claimed that his political detractors in Siaton wanted to get rid of him through black propaganda by reporting to the Department of Justice and the National Bureau of Investigation that he is allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade, and wanted him included in the second list that Duterte will be airing in public soon.

Immediately, Diaz submitted himself to the DOJ and the NBI for verification and validation, bringing along with him his credentials and financial statements, saying it was in the spirit of transparency.

The anonymous letter-sender also wrote the Bureau of Customs to report that he is a smuggler. While denying this, Diaz said his forwarding business is legal and legitimate, and because it has been doing good, his political detractors wanted to pull him down.  (FREEMAN)