Senate conducts probe on alleged breaking into radio station in Iloilo

THE PHILIPPINE Drug Enforcement Agency has identified the two persons caught on security footage trying to break into the office of dyOK Aksyon Radyo Iloilo as alleged drug lord Melvin Odicta Sr. (right) and his son, Melvin Jr.  SCREENGRAB FROM AKSYON RADYO VIDEO

The Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs conducted last Monday an investigation on the brazen alleged attempt to enter and attack a local radio station in Iloilo purportedly by members of a local drug syndicate.

The inquiry was initiated by the committee chair, Senator Grace Poe, and Senator Nancy Binay.

“Nais nating ipakita na ang ating laban kontra iligal na droga ay walang pinipiling lugar o siyudad o probinsya, walang pinipiling personalidad, walang pinipiling oras at walang atrasan,” Poe said in her opening statement.

(We would like to show that our fight against illegal drugs extends to every place, city, province, and person all the time and we won’t back out.)

“Nais din nating ipakita ang kagandahang naidudulot ng partisipasyon at kooperasyon ng ating Barangay anti-drug abuse councils at ang ating local government units hanggang sa lebel ng barangay. Nais din nating ipakita na handa tayong pagtibayin at palakasin ang ating mga batas upang tugunan ang kaakibat na paglala ng problema ng iligal na droga,” she added.

(We would also like to show the good effect of the participation and cooperation of our Barangay anti-drug abuse councils and local government units up to the barangay level. Furthermore, we would like to show that we are prepared to enhance and strengthen our laws to respond to the worsening problems on illegal drugs.)

The attempted break-in by a group of around 20 armed men into the Aksyon Radyo station in Iloilo last November 19, 2015 had allegedly something to do with the radio station’s active campaign against illegal drugs, corruption and other crimes besetting Iloilo City.

READ: Failed attack alarms radio station, staff

The incident was caught on closed circuit TV or CCTV, which was presented and played before the committee.

Initial investigations of the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Western Visayas reportedly showed that the alleged invaders were led by a suspected drug group leader named Melvin “Boyet” Odicta of the Odicta Group.

READ: Drug suspect faces rap for radio station attack

Aside from Poe, Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III was also present in the said hearing. RAM