Son of Pangasinan exec in drug matrix surrenders gun

URBIZTONDO, Pangasinan, Philippines – The son of a Pangasinan local official in President Duterte’s drug matrix surrendered his gun on Friday.

Mayor Martin Raul Sison II gave up his 9mm pistol and ammunition to the police for safekeeping, Chief Inspector Joshua Maximo, Urbiztondo police chief, said yesterday.

Sison is the son of Panga-sinan board member Raul Sison.

Aside from Sison, the matrix named Sen. Leila de Lima who served as justice secretary, Pangasinan fifth district Rep. Amado Espino Jr., former justice undersecretary Francisco Baraan who had supervision over the Bureau of Corrections, his brother Raffy who was Espino’s provincial administrator and former Bureau of Corrections chief Franklin Bucayu. It also tagged De Lima’s former driver Ronnie Palisoc Dayan.

Maximo said Dayan and the Sisons are relatives.

Maximo said they are also looking for Lani Cardenosa, who was identified in the matrix as dummy for Dayan’s properties.

Maximo said Cardenosa, an employee at the treasurer’s office, is Dayan’s neighbor in Barangay Galarin. She went on leave on Friday.

“Maybe she was stressed because of what’s happening and she lacked sleep,” Maximo said.

Dayan is no longer visible in the town, Maximo added.

Meanwhile, the provincial board of Pangasinan expressed support for its officials named in the matrix.

The provincial board passed three separate resolutions on Friday “expressing full faith, trust and confidence in the integrity” of Espino, Sison and the Baraans.

The resolutions said they were ”shocked and ”saddened” by the President’s exposé and expressed hope that there will be a thorough investigation.