Mayor orders arrest of uncle

Mayor Roderick Alcala

LUCENA CITY—The war on illegal drugs knows no family ties.

Mayor Roderick Alcala on Wednesday ordered the city police to arrest his uncle, Cerilo “Athel” Alcala, for his alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade.

Cerilo, first cousin of the mayor’s late father, has been identified by police as among the big-time traders of “shabu” (methamphetamine hydrochloride) in Lucena City and nearby towns in Quezon province.

Cerilo is the younger brother of former Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala and Quezon Rep. Vicente Alcala.

“There is no sacred cow,” Mayor Alcala told the Inquirer.

Alcala said he appealed to his uncle to stop involvement in drugs several years ago. “But I can only do so much as a relative. I have my sworn duty to uphold,” he said.

Cerilo and his son, Sajid, had been arrested thrice on drug charges. They have been, however, released several years ago.

Asked why Cerilo has yet to be captured despite his order, Alcala said: “Arresting suspected criminals is a police matter. They have their own rules, processes and laws to observe. And I respect that.”

Supt. Dennis de Leon, Lucena City police chief, said the local police is waiting for Cerilo’s surrender.

One of Cerilo’s relatives said members of the Alcala clan had tried to intervene and persuade him to leave the drug trade and clear the family’s name. Their appeal, however, had been ignored.

In Laguna province, former San Pablo City Mayor Vicente Amante denied anew that he was involved in drug trafficking, after his name was mentioned by President Duterte as among local officials with links to illegal drugs.

Interviewed on Tuesday, Amante admitted his younger brothers, Edwin and Damaso, were into illegal drugs, but quickly said that was over a decade ago.

Amante said Edwin used to be a “user” and Damaso, a “pusher.”

“I’d rather hang myself in the [city] plaza [than get involved in the illegal drug trade],” said Amante.