Baraan’s brother:  Inclusion in drug matrix a big joke

President Duterte’s matrix of alleged protectors for the illegal drug trade in the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City (Courtesy of PTV 4)

DAGUPAN CITY, Pangasinan — Former Pangasinan administrator Rafael Baraan said he was shocked about being included in a “drug matrix” that President Duterte had made public early Thursday, to show the government officials who were protecting drug trafficking from the New Bilibid Prison.

“Aside from Congressman [Amado] Espino [Jr.] and my own brother, [former Justice undersecretary Francisco] Baraan [III], I am also included in that drug matrix?” said Baraan in a text message.

“This is the biggest and most fantastic joke I’ve ever encountered in my whole life,” he said.

According to the matrix, Espino, who was then Pangasinan governor, allegedly used Baraan as cover for his alleged illegal activities. Espino had been charged with plunder for illegal mining.

According to President Duterte, the drug matrix shows the network of government protectors for the illegal drug operations being run by criminals now imprisoned at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.  The matrix supposedly details how the following work together in protecting the Bilibid drug trade and keeping it humming: former justice secretary and now Senator Leila de Lima, former Pangasinan governor and now Congressman Espino, former justice undersecretary Francisco Baraan III, former Pangasinan administrator Rafael Baraan, retired police general Franklin Bucayo, Ronnie Dayan, Pangasinan Board Member Raul Sison and a “Ms Cardenosa.”  SFM

President Rodrigo Duterte (Screenshot of RTVM video)