Pangasinan governor maintains innocence on drug charges

MANILA, Philippines – Embattled Pangasinan Rep. Amado Espino Jr. denied drug links in a meeting with President Duterte at Malacañang on Tuesday.

Duterte advised Espino to undergo investigation on his alleged drug links to Sen. Leila de Lima.

“In our meeting, the President granted my request for an immediate request for an investigation – thorough investigation and validation of the matrix that had been submitted to him,” Espino said in a statement.

 Espino maintained he could never have connived with De Lima when she was justice secretary because the Aquino administration, in cahoots with former interior secretary Manuel Roxas II, crucified him by filing plunder and murder charges against him.

He described the Aquino administration as “mostly hostile” to his stint as governor.

 Espino also said that De Lima even launched a probe regarding his alleged involvement in a murder case. And it was also during the Aquino administration that charges of graft were filed against him regarding his alleged involvement in black sand mining in Lingayen Gulf.

“I cannot really imagine how my name landed in that drug matrix with Senator De Lima. In the first place, aside from our unpleasant relations with her, I do not even know anyone at all inside the NBP,” he added.

He also presented proof of his achievements in the anti-drug campaign, including neutralizing the operations of international drug lord John Jones when he was concurrent narcotics regional chief of the defunct Philippine Constabulary in Central Luzon.

He also used to head the PC Metro District Command in Angeles City from 1982 to 1991.

Espino said since he was a policeman until he became governor and congressman, his track record in Pangasinan will show that he has “worked relentlessly and consistently pursued the drive against illegal drugs through all these years.” – With Eva Visperas