Blood not thicker than water, says Asistio after brother linked to drugs surrenders

“The war on drugs will not be influenced by blood ties. I will abide by the directive of President Duterte,” Caloocan Vice Mayor Macario Asistio III told the Inquirer on Saturday, a day after his brother—a confessed drug addict and pusher—surrendered to the police.

Claiming their family never tolerated the involvement of his younger brother, Luis “Peting” Asistio III, in the drug trade, the official said that blood ties or political connections would not get in the way of the city government’s campaign against illegal drugs.

“My brother wanted to change. He has been involved in the drug trade long enough. We did not force him [to surrender]. He voluntarily submitted himself to authorities, perhaps out of fear but also out of sheer will,” he added.

Asked why it took a long time for Peting to give himself up, the vice mayor replied: “Am I my brother’s keeper?”

He added: “We cannot control people. We can only do our best to help and encourage our brothers but we do not [control] their minds and hearts. And it’s a good thing he did [the right thing].”

The vice mayor said as much as possible, their family did not want his brother’s surrender to be reported by media. “But for the sake of transparency, it’s fine. I hope it will send a positive message,” he told the Inquirer.

He also declined to elaborate on the extent of his brother’s involvement in the drug trade, saying that the details were with Peting’s lawyer.

Peting and the vice mayor are sons of former Caloocan Rep. Luis “Baby” Asistio and nephews of former Caloocan Mayor Macario “Boy” Asistio Jr.

Peting surrendered to the Caloocan police on Friday, accompanied by his brother, other relatives and a lawyer. He issued an affidavit of undertaking admitting that he was a drug user and at same time, expressed willingness to join a drug rehabilitation program and to stop selling and using drugs.

The vice mayor said that Peting’s surrender sent out a clear message about the city government’s campaign against illegal drugs. “Now, with his coming out, misconceptions, questions and rumors that I am protecting him will stop,” he added.

Asked what would happen to his brother should he again get involved in drugs, the vice mayor said he would “absolutely and with no hesitation” let Peting face the consequences of his action.

The vice mayor supervises the City Anti-Drug Abuse Council with Mayor Oscar Malapitan as the overall head. Plans are underway to build a drug rehab center hopefully next year, he added.