‘Barok’ cries foul, issues official statement from jail

ALLEGED big-time drug lord Alvaro “Barok” Alvaro yesterday denied that he continued to be in touch with his cohorts in the underworld and dared police authorities to present the SIM card which they claimed was confiscated from Barok’s cell so that it’s contents can be made public.

In a statement released through his family, Barok denied keeping a SIM card hidden in his cell. Aside from denying the SIM’s existence, he also urged police authorities to have the content of the alleged SIM examined by experts.

“Wala’y SIM card nga nakuha ang kapulisan sa Danao pagbisita nila diri sulod sa akong silda (There was no SIM card confiscated from my cell by Danao City policemen when they came to visit),” Alvaro’s statement read.

“Ug aduna man, akong hangyo sa kapulisan nga ipakita  ang SIM card sa publiko ug ipa-susi unsa ang sulod sa maong SIM card (If there is, I urge the police to present the SIM card to the pubic and have its contents examined),” he added.

“Uyon pud ko nga ipa-check sa mga expert ang sulod sa maong SIM card aron masusi sa tinood ug kinsa ang tag-iya sa maong SIM card (I am in favor of having the SIM card checked by experts to determine the real owner of the SIM),” Barok said.

Barok is currently detained at the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) after his surrender to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) last June.

Police earlier claimed that a SIM card was found inside Barok’s cell when the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) and members of the regional Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA-7) conducted a “Greyhound Operation” inside CPDRC in the early hours of Aug. 13.

The SIM card was allegedly kept under the pillow on Barok’s bed when it was discovered but no cellular phone or other contraband items were found in the cell where Barok was staying.

According to Barok, he had been placed in isolation since his confinement at CPDRC and was always under tight watch through a closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera.

He pointed out that any suspicions about his movements while in his detention cell could easily be verified upon review of the CCTV recordings.

Alvaro also lamented the recent death of his brother, Medz Alvaro, who was killed in an alleged shootout with Danao City policemen last Aug. 11 over allegations that his sibling coordinated with him and continued his drug trade business.

He also expressed dismay over police allegations that his wife was also involved in the drug trade and that his mother threatened Danao City policemen after his brother, Medz’s death.

Barok insisted that he, along with his slain brother and his wife, never connived to sell drugs.

Expressing his gratitude for the security provided to him inside the jail by the CPDRC management and Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III, who is also CPDRC’s acting warden, Barok said that he voluntarily surrendered because he wanted to clear his name and live peacefully, even within the confines of prison.

Alvaro ended his statement with an appeal to be given a chance to show that he is sincere in wanting to change his ways.

“Matag-usa katawo adunay katungod sa pag-usab para sa kaayohan ug ang usa ka tawo nga sincere sa pag-usab angay lang pud ug tagaan siya ug higayon sa iyang tuyo ug tumong (Each person has the right to change for the good and a person who is sincere in his desire to change should be given the chance),” he said.

“Ako nag pagsalig nga gusto ng magbag-o ug limpyohon ang akong pangalan para sa kaayohan mao ako nag hangyo nga tagaan ug higayon pagmatood sa akong sinceridad sa pagbag-o (I guarantee everyone that I really want to change and clean my name so please give me the chance to prove that I am sincere in wanting to change),” Barok added.