Lawyer denies link to illegal drug trade
Lawyer Edel Julio Romero categorically denied that he is involved in the illegal drugs trade in the city and province of Iloilo. He even welcomes an investigation, if any, from Justice Sec. Raul Gonzalez Sr. who reportedly obtained a dossier containing the list of personalities linked to illegal drugs.
Romero, who also has good relations with Sec. Gonzalez, said he was already confronted by the secretary regarding his alleged involvement in illegal drugs trade and he outrightly denied it.
Romero added that the secretary assured him that all the details contained in the dossier will be subject for verification.
Meanwhile, Romero refused to confirm reports on whether his client Melvin "Boyet" Odicta is the same Odicta mentioned by Gonzalez as one of the drug lords operating in the city.
In a radio interview, Romero said he has no idea on whether his client is the same Odicta named by the justice secretary. The secretary only mentioned the name Odicta during a radio interview.
Romero is the legal counsel of Odicta in his taxi business. He owns some 20 taxi units in the city. Odicta also owns a restaurant and jewelry pawnshop. Romero said Odicta made a loan to start his taxi business in the city. The lawyer claimed he has not yet conferred with his client regarding the interview.
The name Odicta and other controversies related to illegal drugs cropped up after the justice secretary made disclosures over several radio interviews here. The secretary got furious over reports that he used the private plane of a drug lord in one of his trips to Iloilo City. In his reaction Gonzalez said, "nga-a may private plane si Odicta haw?" presumably referring to Odicta as the alleged drug lord.
According to Romero, he only knew Odicta four years ago. He has already a taxi business when they met. As such, he has no direct idea on whether Odicta has pending or was charged of illegal drug cases in courts of Iloilo. He banked on the "right of privacy" of his client. Romero refused to give further details on Odicta's personality and other businesses.