Pubdate: Wed, 10 Aug 2016
Source: Cebu Daily News  (Philippines)
Copyright: 2016sCebu Daily News
Contact:  http://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1723
Author: Ador Vincent S. Mayol

PALMA QUESTIONS DRUG LIST

Ill-advised and half-baked. This was how Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma 
described the decision of President Rodrigo Duterte to publicly 
identify the local officials allegedly involved in the illegal drugs trade.

While he supports the President's campaign to curb illegal drugs, the 
66year-old prelate said the fundamental requirements of due process 
and the rule of law have not been observed when he announced the 
names of so-called "narcopoliticians," judges and policemen involved 
in the illicit trade.

He likewise called the drug list "not realistic," while at the same 
time expressing doubt over the inclusion of former Cebu City mayor 
Michael Rama in the list.

"There are people who welcomed the President's move to name names, 
but there are also those who were anxious about what he did," Palma 
told reporters after he ordained 12 new priests at the Cebu 
Metropolitan Cathedral in downtown Cebu City Tuesday morning.

The prelate stressed he acknowledged improvements with regard to the 
peace and order situation in Cebu since Duterte assumed the 
presidency. But he also emphasized that dignity of the human person 
and human life are equally important.

"There are definitely positive changes that the Church felt. This is 
a signal of hope," Palma said. "We're just wary about the unverified 
listing and extrajudicial killings."

Like some people, Palma said he too has questions on the veracity of 
drugs list given to Duterte.

He added: "The President said it (contents of drug list) may be true 
or may not be true. The question is what if it's not true? Names were 
already revealed in public. How could those who may have been wrongly 
accused redeem their dignity and the good name they built all these years?"

"While we appreciate the efforts against illegal drugs, we also 
question the process things are done," Palma said.

Not reliable

He said he was surprised when Duterte identified the name of one 
person he knew, Judge Roberto Natividad of the Regional Trial Court 
Branch 32 in Calbayog City, who is already dead.

Natividad was gunned down by a still unidentified assailant in January 2008.

"Paggawas sa name sa judge, nakasulti ko nga kilala man ko kini nga 
judge. Namatay na man kini (When the judge's name was mentioned, I 
said I know this person. He is already dead)," said Palma who used to 
serve in the Diocese of Calbayog in Samar from 1999 to 2006.

That alone, he said, means that the list given to Duterte was not reliable.

"The list is either not updated or not an assurance that it's really 
realistic," he said.

Palma, however, said that except for the fact that he knew that 
Natividad was an RTC judge in Calbayog City, he did not know him 
personally to make a judgment on his character.

Palma also expressed doubts that Rama was a drug protector, saying 
the latter might have been included in the list after he admitted to 
have dealt with the late drug lord Cresistomo "Tata Negro" Llaguno 
whom the former played basketball with.

Rama said he wanted to help Llaguno surrender to authorities but the 
latter was gunned down in Barangay Lorega-San Miguel, Cebu City in 2010.

"He (Rama) wanted to help one drug (lord) who was trying to change 
his life, was ready to reveal certain things but got killed. The 
former mayor's move may have been misinterpreted," Palma said.

Although contents in Duterte's drug list were reportedly "validated 
and revalidated" by different law enforcement units, Palma said 
accusations should go with sufficient evidence and proof.

Wounded

Rama, in a press conference yesterday, revealed he visited the 
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) head office in Manila on 
Monday and the agency has no document to link him to illegal drugs.

Rama said he went to see PDEA Director General Isidro Lapena and 
asked the latter who was the drug lord he was supposedly protecting, 
but Lapena could not give an answer.

According to Rama, he decided to go to PDEA instead of meeting with 
Philippine National Police Director General Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa 
on the advise of a person he declined to name.

Rama said that while he was focused on clearing his name, he also 
believed it would only be right for President Duterte to clear the 
names of those on his drug list if they are found innocent of the accusation.

When asked by reporters how he was, Rama said: "I'm wounded of 
course. But I have to keep (my) cool."

Cryptic reply

PDEA Central Visayas Director Yogi Felimon Ruiz, on the other hand, 
gave a cryptic answer when asked if his office has any record linking 
Rama to illegal drugs.

He said he could not say anything on the matter because if he did, he 
would just was be "cooking" himself. He did not elaborate except to 
point out that he would not know much since it's just been a week 
since he assumed his post in the region.

Ruiz instead opined that the list released by the President did not 
just include those protecting or selling drugs but also officials who 
failed address the drug problem under their watch.

"If (the) President (saw that) based on their data gathered, you did 
not do your part, then (he would think) you are part of the problem," 
Ruiz added.

Palma, meanwhile, said that to assist the government in its drive 
against illegal drugs, the Archdiocese of Cebu intends to come up 
with parish-based programs that will help drug users get rid of their 
old habit.

He encouraged priests to open parishes and chapels to drug users who 
seek their help for rehabilitation.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom