Iloilo mayors in drug watchlist named by President Duterte deny involvement

Iloilo Mayor Siegfredo Betita will go to Camp Crame to clear his name. (Photo: BroncoJock / Panoramio)

ILOILO CITY – The three mayors in the province of Iloilo denied their alleged involvement in the trade of illegal drugs in the province.

Earlier this morning mayors Alex Centena of Calinog, Siegfredo Betita of Carles and and Mariano Malones of Maasin were among the local chief executives from the province tagged by President Rodrigo Duterte as “narco-politicians.”

Duterte also tagged the province as most “shabulized’ in the country.

Betita said that the allegation is politically motivated and he is not guilty. He admitted that he is a distant relative of alleged drug lord Melvin Odicta Sr.

“I was surprised by the announcement of President Duterte. In fact I am his number supporter of his program against illegal drugs,” he said.

He added that he will go to Camp Crame to clear his name.

Meanwhile, Centena said that he will not surrender to the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) since he is not guilty of the allegation.

“I will resign if on this day, they could immediately testify that I am wrong,” he said.

Centena added that he is challenging Duterte to name the person behind the long list of personalities that he has.

Malones, on the other hand, was emotional as he denied the allegation.

“This is really unexpected and hurtful because I was not the only one affected; my family and the whole town of Maasin are also affected,” he added.

Malones said that Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) director Augustus Roderick Alba even called him after the announcement and told him that his name was not in any of the files of IPPO having involved in the trade of Illegal drugs.

He added that he is yet to take the next action that he will do as he is still seeking advice from his lawyers, friends and family.