President Rodrigo Duterte apologized on Tuesday, September 27, for including Governor Amado Espino Jr. and two other Pangasinan officials in his controversial drug matrix several weeks ago.
In his speech at the site of an alleged “mega” shabu lab in Arayat, Pampanga, Duterte admitted that they were “negligent” in validating the reports.
“In so far as the drugs, I think that somehow we were negligent in counter-checking the first report. So kay Espino and even to [Pangasinan Board Member Raul] Sison and to [Pangasinan provincial administrator Rafael] Baraan… I would like to apologize to you publicly,” Duterte said, adding that he is “very sorry.”
The President said that after looking into the report, he found “a gap” that could not explain how Espino and the other officials were linked to drugs.
“I had it validated four times. Tiningnan ko kagabi yung report, dala ni PDEA… There’s a gap there that cannot be explained why his name was there. I think kung meron man, it’s either intriga, tsismis, or it was purposely done without really checking the validity,” Duterte said.
He added that he spent several nights studying the reports from the police, barangay captain, and the Department of Interior and Local Government.
Duterte first released the drug matrix showing Senator Leila de Lima, his most outspoken critic, and other Pangasinan government officials, who are allegedly involved with the proliferation of the illegal drug trade in the New Bilibid Prison.
The matrix also named retired General Franklin Bucayu, Justice Undersecretary Francisco “Toti” Baraan III, and de Lima’s former driver and alleged lover Ronie Dayan.
Despite admitting to the errors in his drug matrix, Duterte maintained the de Lima and Francisco are involved in the drug trade.
“Everybody was correct; but the focusing is – there were lapses… They probably hit a snag somewhere and they stopped. I take responsibility, ako ang nag announce eh,” Duterte said.
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Apology accepted
Espino said he accepted and felt humbled by Duterte’s apology.
“I am humbled by the pronouncement of the President today clearing my involvement on the alleged drug matrix… I kept my silence for the past three weeks as I know beyond reasonable doubt that I am not guilty of this allegation. Today, my family, friends, and the people of Pangasinan would like to express our gratitude to the President for being a true leader and a gentleman. He has my highest esteem for the courageous and bold statement of apology clearing my name, Raffy Baraan and Raul Sison,” Espino said in his statement.
During their August 30 meeting, Espino said Duterte promised him he would have the drug matrix revalidated.
As Duterte has speculated, Espino’s name could have found its way to the matrix because of intrigues, gossip or lack of validation. So how sure is he, really, that all the names in his matrix and drug lists do not have “a gap” where the illegal drug trade is involved?
Sources: (gmanetwork.com, news.abs-cbn.com, newsinfo.inquirer.net)
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