Suspected drug lord in Iloilo presents self to police

ILOILO CITY, Philippines—An alleged drug lord in Iloilo presented himself to authorities on Friday, amid a stepped up police campaign against illegal drugs.

Businessman Melvin Odicta, his wife Meriam and son Melvin Jr. reported to the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) around noon, said Senior Supt. Remus Zacharias Canieso, ICPO officer in charge.

Canieso said he was only able to meet with Meriam and Melvin Jr. as the elder Odicta had already left.

The three reportedly signed affidavits of undertaking with the ICPO’s intelligence section similar to drug pushers and users who have surfaced but Canieso said he has yet to confirm this.

He said Odicta was not arrested because there was no pending arrest warrant against him.

“I consider it a visit rather than surrender,” Canieso told the INQUIRER.

He said the Odictas sent him a letter signifying their willingness to help authorities in the anti-drug campaign.

“But how can they do that? He (elder Odicta) should give us real evidence like who are the officials under his payroll,” Canieso said.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency has tagged the elder Odicta as the leader of one of two main illegal drug groups operating in Iloilo.

But authorities have admitted there was no evidence to directly link him to the illegal drug trade.

Odicta, who operates a transportation service and restaurant, has repeatedly denied the allegations.

Odicta and his son are facing criminal charges for last year’s attempted break-in at radio station Aksyon Radyo Iloilo, which he also denies. RAM/rga

READ: Drug suspect faces rap for radio station attack