Sarangani mayor surrenders to Pacquiao

FILE: Senators Manny Pacquiao  (Photo: Senator Manny Pacquiao/Facebook)

MANILA — A mayor from Maasim, Sarangani surrendered to Senator Manny Pacquiao on Friday after anti-drug operatives seized PHP5 million worth of suspected shabu from his house.

Pacquiao, in a press release, said he immediately turned over Maasim Mayor Aniceto “Jojo” Lopez, Jr. to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

“When he called up, I advised him to surrender. Dapat niyang harapin ang anumang kasong isasampa laban sa kanya (He should face any case filed against him),” Pacquiao said.

Maasim is one of the seven towns of Sarangani, Pacquiao’s home province

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) raided Lopez’s house in Lumasal village, Maasim Friday morning and seized suspected shabu, a mini-shabu laboratory, and a “green book” containing drug transactions and money trail.

Pacquiao said Lopez went into hiding until he advised him to turn himself in. The senator said Lopez expressed his willingness to surrender but only to him.

Lopez is a known supporter of the boxer-lawmaker.

The senator, however, denied a report that he negotiated for Lopez’s surrender.

“Hindi totoo yan. Bakit ako magne-negotiate? Nagpadala siya ng feeler na gusto niyang sumuko ng mapayapa. Mas mabuti yon kesa sa may mangyari sa kanyang masama (That’s not true. Why would I negotiate? He sent a feeler that he wanted to peacefully surrender. It’s better to avoid something untoward from happening),” Pacquiao said.

Pacquiao, meanwhile, urged other officials in his home province to steer clear from illegal activities.

“All the local officials in my home province knew my stand when it comes to illegal drugs trade and corruption. Once they got embroiled in any illegal activities, they cannot expect help from me. I made it clear from the very start,” the senator said.

“How can we expect the people to follow or respect the rule of law when the leaders, themselves, are lawbreakers?” he added.