Rody apologizes to Pangasinan execs in drug matrix

MANILA, Philippines – President Duterte yesterday apologized to former Pangasinan governor and now Rep. Amado Espino for including him in the drug matrix at the New Bilibid Prison.

Espino was humbled by the President’s apology, saying his family, friends and the people of Pangasinan are grateful for Duterte for being a true leader and a gentleman.

“I kept silent for the past three weeks, knowing I am not guilty. I had the opportunity to meet and talk with the President on August 30 and he promised to have the matrix revalidated by proper authorities,” he said.

The so-called drug matrix included former justice secretary now Sen. Leila de Lima and former justice undersecretary Francisco Baraan, whom the President earlier described as having brought narco-politics into the country. 

Meanwhile, the President ordered the confiscation of equipment and materials found in a mega-shabu laboratory in Pampanga.

He ordered the police, the local government and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to either destroy or dispose of the equipment, or use these for industrial purposes.

Duterte said he takes full responsibility for the wrong inclusion of Espino, Urbiztondo board member Raul Sison and dismissed provincial administrator Rafael Baraan in the drug matrix.

Baraan is a brother of the former justice undersecretary. 

During the inspection of the drug laboratory yesterday, Duterte did not elaborate on the lapses that led to the inclusion of the three Pangasinan officials on the drug list. 

He ordered the PDEA to convert the shabu laboratory into a rehabilitation center for drug users.

President Duterte and police and government officials inspect the drug laboratory in Arayat, Pampanga yesterday. BOY SANTOS

“I take full responsibility for it no matter who among my men committed the blunder,” he said, adding they must have been negligent in verifying the first report.

“So to Espino and Sison, at kay (and) Baraan — yung kapatid, huwag yung undersecretary dahil sabit talaga yun (the brother, not the undersecretary who is really involved) – I would like to apologize to you publicly, and I would say now, I’m very sorry,” Duterte said in a speech following the inspection of the drug laboratory.

 Duterte said Espino and Rafael Baraan were involved in a separate black sand mining case now being heard by the Sandiganbayan.

The case, he said, has nothing to do with the illegal drug trade. 

“Kung ang pag-usapan (If we talk about) black sand mining, may (there’s) probable cause, but to stretch it further to involve them, pinag-aralan ko talaga ng ilang gabi… ginaganon-ganon ko hindi ko makita ang (I thought of it every night and I can’t see the) connection. It is not really very clear to me,” Duterte said.

Espino assured Duterte of his support for the anti-drug and peace and order campaign.

“He has my highest esteem for the courageous and bold statement of apology to clear my name, Raffy Baraan and Raul Sison,” he said.

A Chinese national allegedly owned the Pampanga shabu laboratory where seven hydrogenerators and a chromatograph machine were recovered. – With Eva Visperas, Ding Cervantes, Ric Sapnu