‘We’re ready to face Duterte drug probe’

LOCAL officials publicly linked by President Duterte to illegal drugs on Sunday moved quickly to clear their names, all claiming surprise and shock and even fear for their lives, given the brutality of the administration’s campaign against the narcotics trade.

Obeying Mr. Duterte’s order, they turned themselves in to police, denying they were involved in illegal drugs and saying they were ready to face investigation.

Mr. Duterte early on Sunday named 159 current and former local, military and police officials, lawmakers and judges whom he alleged were involved in illegal drugs.

Hours after the President read their names from a list of drug suspects, the officials showed up at police stations across the country or traveled to Manila to fight the charges.

First to turn up at Philippine National Police headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City, on Sunday morning was Mayor Cipriano Violago Jr. of San Rafael, Bulacan province.

He arrived at 8 a.m. and went straight to the major crimes investigation unit of the PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group to give a statement.

Former Judge Lorinda Toledo-Mupas of the Dasmariñas City Municipal Trial Court in Cavite province arrived at about the same time, but she did not speak to reporters.

Mupas, who was sacked by the Supreme Court in 2007 for gross ignorance of the law and was perpetually barred from holding public office, is the wife of Pasay City Regional Trial Court Judge Jesus Mupas and mother of former Councilor Mark Joseph Mupas of Cavite City.

Former Mayor Rasmiya Macabago of Saguiran, Lanao del Sur province, arrived at 1:15 p.m., accompanied by her lawyer.

Shocked

In a talk with reporters, Violago said he was shocked after Mr. Duterte linked him to drugs.

“I was so shaken and went wobbly after I heard my name. My family wept,” he said, adding he was prepared to be investigated. “I’m very ready, that’s why [I’m here]. I [hope] the President will give me a chance to explain.”

DENIALS Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog of Iloilo City (left) and former Mayor Mike Rama of Cebu City (right) hold separate press conferences to deny their involvement in illegal drug trafficking. NESTOR P. BURGOS JR./INQUIRER VISAYAS; TONEE DESPOJO/ CEBU DAILY NEWS

After giving a statement to investigators, Violago said Mr. Duterte probably had been given “wrong information” about him.

“I don’t blame him. If he’s wrong, it’s the fault of those who gave him the list of the alleged narcopoliticians,” he said.

Macabago’s lawyer, Filomeno Arteche III, told reporters the mayor was ready to face investigation.

“We came here because we want to know why [she is being implicated],” Arteche said, adding that the mayor did not know whether her implication was politically motivated or whether she had friends who were involved in drugs.

In Pampanga province, Mayor Marino Morales of Mabalacat City said he would present himself to Mr. Duterte today to clear his name, adding that he feared for his life.