Police arrested a suspected drug pusher who claimed to be an illegitimate son of Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña in a drug bust in Barangay Suba, Cebu City, last Monday.
Rolando Yburan Osmeña, 48, is facing charges for violating Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, particularly for selling illegal drugs — a non-bailable offense.
Recovered from his possession were several packs of shabu weighing a total of 2.5 grams valued at P29,500, said Chief Insp. Keith Andaya, chief of San Nicolas Police Station.
Police also confiscated a video carrera and moli-moli gambling machines from Rolando’s residence in Barangay Suba.
Sought for comment on Rolando’s claim that they are related to each other, Mayor Osmeña simply laughed it off.
“Ha ha!!” he said in a brief text message to Cebu Daily News.
In an interview at the San Nicolas Police Station’s stockade, Rolando denied any involvement in illegal drugs.
He said he would have wanted to talk to his alleged father, Mayor Osmeña, but the latter purportedly ignored him.
“Minsan lumapit ako sa kanya. Gusto ko na personal kami na magkausap kaya lang ayaw niya (One time, I approached him. I wanted to personally talk to him, but he didn’t want to),” Rolando said.
He said his family hails from Bohol, but he spent most of his life in Manila where he worked in a tailoring shop.
Rolando said he eventually transferred to Cebu City where his alleged father serves as mayor.
Asked if he’s telling the truth, Rolando smiled and said, “Mahirap ipaliwanag. (Basta) anak ako ni mayor sa labas (It’s hard to explain. But I am mayor’s illegitimate son),” he said.