Rama cuddling drug lord?

CEBU, Philippines - The executive director of a group called Krusada Batok sa Droga is accusing Cebu City Vice Mayor Michael Rama of being a friend and protector of a suspected drug lord in the city.

James Philip “Jimboy” P. Tionko, former provincial chairman of the Citizens Drug Watch Foundation, made the accusation during a press conference organized by former senator John Henry “Sonny” Osmeña, who is running for mayor against Rama.

Tionko said it was Mayor Tomas Osmeña himself who accused the standard bearer of the Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan of befriending and protecting Crisostomo Llaguno alias Tata Negro, a known drug lord and gambling lord in Cebu City.

He was also identified by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency to be on the top list of bigtime drug pushers in the city. In fact, Llaguno was already convicted of drug charges, which is now pending appeal before the court.

Tionko, who is an independent candidate for councilor in the north district, said that the media and the internet have reported Rama’s closeness to Llaguno.

According to Tionko, he believed that Rama is involved in narco-politics citing an incident where the vice mayor allegedly intervened a police operation on Llaguno last year.

He said that their group plans to go out on the streets today to campaign against politicians whom they believed are involved in narco-politics.

“So musuroy-suroy mi diha sa kalsada to give out arm bands and stickers. We have also prepared black ribbons. Maghinulsol gyud mi kung dunay usa ka politiko nga makalingkod unya involved siya in narco-politics,” Tionko added.

Rama downplayed the accusations, saying it is a rehashed issue that has been answered before. The vice mayor said he is expecting it to happen during this period of political campaign.

“This is the period where you will be expecting the worst,” Rama said.

“That’s normal in a campaign period but I wish that, in conscience, they can stand where they are sleeping,” he added.

Asked if he is taking any legal action, Rama said he does not know yet whether the accusation is legally actionable or not. But, even if it is, Rama said that he will not waste his time filing cases.

“I don’t want to spend more time of that even if I’m a lawyer. I have to spend more time working to make my slate, 8-0,” Rama said.

Though he called for the press conference but Sonny did not show up.   (FREEMAN NEWS)