PNP chief clears Cebu City mayor of drug links

CEBU CITY—Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña is not on the drug watch list of the Philippine National Police, said PNP Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.

Dela Rosa said the allegation that Osmeña was a drug protector came from Reynaldo “Jumbo” Diaz, cousin of slain suspected drug lord Jeffrey “Jaguar” Diaz, who was arrested in Sorsogon province in September 2016. “Insofar as the PNP is concerned, we do not have any document or evidence that would link him (Osmeña) to illegal drugs,” said Dela Rosa in a news conference after the launching of the 26th Defense and Sporting Arms Show here on Thursday.

Last month, resigned Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II accused Osmeña of being a drug protector, citing Reynaldo Diaz’s affidavit that the mayor allegedly received money from Jeffrey Diaz.

Osmeña challenged Aguirre to prove the allegations and to file a case against him. Recently, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency also cleared Osmeña of any involvement in the drug trade. —ADOR VINCENT S. MAYOL