For linking him to drug trade; Councilor threatens raps vs. police chief

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — A councilor of La Castellana town said he is contemplating to file charges against a police chief for linking him to the illegal drug trade in Negros Occidental.

Councilor Alberto Nicor III, known as “White” to his family and friends, challenged Chief Inspector Allan Reloj, Moises Padilla Police chief, to prove the latter’s accusations against him.

“White” was joined by his elder sister, La Castellana Mayor Rhumyla Nicor Mangilimutan, in challenging Reloj to produce evidence to back up the allegations.

The councilor admitted though that he was once an occasional user of drugs, but he insisted he has never been a protector or financier of the illegal trade.

“White” also insisted that he already stopped using drugs, after he was elected councilor of La Castellana. He said that, in two tests, he was even found negative of drug use, and then cleared of involvement in drugs by former and incumbent police officials of La Castellana.

The councilor said he is not hiding from authorities, and they could conduct a lifestyle check on him to validate the allegations of his links to drugs. If Reloj could not prove the accusations, “White” said he will resort to legal action against the police official. “It is very painful for me to be accused of such allegations, which are baseless,” he said.

Mangilimutan for her part, said, “If they have allegations against my brother (“White”), they should prove it, adding that she and her brother even received so many death threats through text messages, which told them that their days are numbered and that they are the next target in Negros of the controversial Chief Inspector Jovie Espenido.

Asked if they will seek more protection from state agents, the mayor said there is no need for it, stressing that they are “standing by on the side of the truth.” Asked if there is politics on the accusations against her brother, Mangilimutan said she already identified those behind it.

The mayor also asked the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office to investigate Reloj and to be asked what was his basis, if there’s any, for accusing her brother of such. Reloj incidentally served also as police chief of La Castellana in the past.

Noemi Nicor, White’s mother who also sits as an ex-officio councilor of La Castellana, representing the town’s  Liga ng Barangay federation, also insisted her son is neither a drug protector nor a financier. (FREEMAN)