Investigate, prosecute Tommy’s ‘trusted aide’
The assertion that the reason behind Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña’s anger is the transfer of his “trusted aide” who was under the payroll of self-confessed drug lord Franz Sabalones is a “serious allegation” that should be investigated, said Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella.
“That is a very serious allegation. So serious that they should really look into. And of course bring to the bar of justice those who really are involved,” Labella said, reacting to the exposé of Philippine National Police Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa that the police colonel whom Sabalones had said was receiving P200,000 weekly payola from him was Osmeña’s “trusted aide.”
Dela Rosa also said this is the real reason why Osmeña was angry at the police and withdrew his support to them and washed his hands off the illegal drug campaign.
Labella said if these police officers who were formerly assigned in Cebu City are really involved one way or another in the illegal drug trade, they should should be thoroughly investigated.
“You know, when you are a police officer, you are presumed to uphold the rule of law. You are presumed to enforce the law, and you are supposed to be an enforcer. But then you are the one who breaks the law?” he added.
Councilor Sisinio Andales, Osmeña’s ally, however, said he does not believe Osmeña is really angry at the police.
“Kahibaw na ka ani si Mayor Tommy, diretso diretso sad na siya, mura sad na siya’g si (President Rodrigo) Duterte. Kanang spur of the moment siguro. But I don’t believe si Tommy, iyaha gyud lugakan ang police (You know Mayor Tommy, he speaks straight from his mouth, like President Duterte. His words are probably spur of the moment. But I don’t believe Tommy would really abandon the police,” he said.
In fact, Osmeña issued city-owned vehicles to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), said Andales.
This only showed that the mayor was not really withdrawing his support to the police force, Andales added.
The councilor said Osmeña should be the one asked if he was really angry, and if so, the reason for his anger.
“Sakto man sad ang explanation ni Tommy. Kung maayo imong teamwork sa usa ka chief of police nganong kuhaon man o hulipan ug lain nga wala ka kaila (Tommy’s explanation was correct. If you can work well with your chief of police, why should he be changed with somebody you do not know)?” Andales said.
Osmeña is expected to arrive this afternoon from the United States where he went for his annual physical checkup.
Councilor Pastor Jun Alcover for his part, believes some of Osmeña’s “trusted aides” are really drug protectors.
He expressed confusion on why it was former mayor Michael Rama who was included in the Duterte list of drug coddlers, amid dela Rosa exposé on Osmeña, whom he believed to be the real drug protector.
“I am confused. While the suspected drug protector was Tomas Osmeña, the name of Mayor Mike Rama was announced. Another thing General “Bato” keeps secret, the name of the colonel known as the trusted aide of Tomas who was suspected of receiving P200,000 a week from Sabalones. Why?” he told CDN in a text message.
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