Misamis Oriental gov to probe jail warden’s alleged ‘protection’ of sons linked to drugs

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY –– Misamis Oriental Gov. Yevgeny Vicente Emano has vowed to pursue an impartial investigation on the allegation by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) that the provincial jail warden was protecting his sons who are allegedly involved in trading illegal drugs.

In a statement, Emano asked Director Wilkins Villanueva of PDEA Region 10 to furnish him a report on the allegations against Misamis Oriental Provincial Jail warden Dominador Tagarda so that he could course it to the proper office for an investigation.

On Wednesday, Tagarda’s two sons, Bon Clinton and Gregor, were arrested after a search on their respective residences here yielded crystal meth or shabu, all amounting to 25 grams.

Villanueva said they have proof that Tagarda knew of the illegal activities of his children before their arrest but kept mum about it.

Villanueva added that by his demeanor, Tagarda has lost moral ascendancy to oversee the province’s jail facility and should quit his job.

Tagarda has denied Villanueva’s allegations and said he would not quit, but instead, wait for his eventual retirement at year-end.

“My stand on the fight against illegal drugs remains strong regardless of whoever is involved, may they be ally or foe,” Emano said.

Earlier, provincial information officer Carlo Dugaduga asked Villanueva to substantiate his allegations about Tagarda, urging him to file the necessary charges against him./lzb