"I told him ayaw na lang kay allergic sila didto," Cuenco said after reports came out that there were individuals questioning his visits to Tan currently detained at the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center after being brought back from Hong Kong.
Mayor Thadeo Ouano, through his lawyer Gloria Dalawampu, earlier expressed his alarm and apprehension over Ruiz' visits saying that he had no business there. Ruiz is husband of sixth district Rep. Nerissa Soon-Ruiz, Ouano's political rival.
Dalawampu said that Ruiz has no authority to secure Tan as he is not a security officer and there was no order from the president for him to secure Tan, contrary to his wife's claim.
But Cuenco admitted he ordered Ruiz to put Tan in maximum security following the order of the Regional Trial Court in Mandaue City, although the court order did not specifically mention Ruiz to help secure Tan, it was just his initiative, he said.
"I ordered him to monitor Tan's security para di siya mo-eskapo," Cuenco said.
Cuenco explained that it was Soon-Ruiz who told him that she would cooperate as they both belong to the Committee on Dangerous Drugs. He further said that it is his obligation to secure Tan as he does not want to be blamed if Tan might escape.
And to Ouano's apprehension, Cuenco said they "are acting as if they're scared."
When asked if he was going to send someone to ensure Tan's security Cuenco said he will longer do that considering the provincial and city governments' cooperation.
Meanwhile, Governor Gwendolyn Garcia warned acting CPDRC warden Alfredo Abella he might face possible sanction if he allows Ruiz to see Tan again.
Garcia said that from the very start her instructions were clear that Tan's access to the outside world should be limited as he is a high-risk inmate. She said that except for Tan's lawyer, no other person is allowed to see him unless they secure a clearance from her.
Despite Garcia's order, Abella allowed Ruiz to see Tan, which the camp of Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo Ouano has questioned.
"All other future infractions shall not be tolerated," Garcia said, adding that she is not taking sides of the political bickering between Ruiz and Ouano. - Liv G. Campo and Fred P. Languido