Councilor debunks issue linking him to illegal drugs
City Councilor Erwin Plagata recently came out to clarify the issue linking him to an alleged drug lord in Iloilo City.
Earlier, Justice Sec. Raul Gonzalez Sr. insinuated that a city official is included in the list of those protecting a certain drug lord. Though the secretary did not mention any names Plagata felt alluded by the insinuation.
Plagata stressed the issue linking him to an alleged drug lord is not new. He said it cropped up since two years ago after he served as a wedding godfather to a friend Melvin "Boyet" Odicta.
Unconfirmed reports point to Odicta as the alleged drug lord. However, police officials and even the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), which should be in the forefront of the campaign against illegal drugs could not confirm Odicta's links to the illegal drugs trade.
Odicta owns some 20 taxi units, a restaurant and a jewelry pawnshop in the city.
Plagata said, as a public servant he could not refuse somebody who asks him to be part of their marital rites. He said it is an honor for him to become a godfather to the couple as it is an indication that "they believe and respect me."
Plagata said it is not for him to say and discuss the couple's private life including Odicta's alleged link to the illegal drugs trade. He did not confirm nor deny Odicta's alleged involvement in the illegal drugs.
If they have sufficient evidences to pin him (Odicta) down, they should file a case, Plagata said.
"It should be brought in the right forum. There are other people allegedly big fishes in the illegal drugs trade and yet no finger has been lifted to prosecute them. I know a lot of them but I don't want to taint their personalities," Plagata added.
Plagata admitted he is saddened by the issue hurled against him. "It's a long gone issue," he said.
The city councilor said he could not fathom the motives of reviving the issue. "I don't know if its an investment. "What's the problem if I am a godfather to him (Odicta)?" he said.
Furthermore, Plagata got furious when insinuations popped up regarding his car which was allegedly given to him by Odicta. He described the information as "too much." "I am a doctor and my wife is a nurse and it is impossible for us not to set aside part of our earnings to purchase a car," he said.
Apparently mad, Plagata challenged his accusers to check before the BPI-Family Savings Bank in Iznart Street, City Proper. He said he made a loan from the said bank to buy the car in Nissan. It is unfortunate for other people to conclude that we could not afford such luxury in life, Plagata said.