Former mayor yields

CEBU, Philippines - One of the 43 drug personalities who surrendered in Iloilo Province, under the PNP’s Oplan Tokhang, was former mayor Pio Pama of Dueñas town.

Inspector Ronald Paclibar, Dueñas Police chief, confirmed that the 61-year-old Pama voluntarily turned himself in to the police last July 17.

Pama the day after underwent a drug test at an accredited private testing center in Iloilo City. “The test yielded negative result,” Paclibar said.

Pama also signed an affidavit of undertaking, but did not offer much information about drug activities in the town, claiming he just wanted to clear his name from false accusations.

Paclibar said Pama is not in the police watchlist of illegal drug personalities, although they received information that the former mayor was into drug use.

Pama admitted he started using drugs in 2013, but that he had stopped more than a year later and has not taken drugs since.

The former mayor claimed he was not involved in any illegal drug trade. He said he underwent rehabilitation but is still willing to submit himself for rehabilitation, if needed.

It can be noted that Pama held the mayor’s office several years ago. In 2007, he was elected as a councilor. He ran again for mayor later but lost. This year, he vied for a post as councilor but did not make it. (FREEMAN)