Rama denies drug link

CEBU CITY – Former Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama yesterday met with the Central Visayas regional police chief and took a drug test to underscore that he is not in any way involved in the illegal drugs trade.

“I am reiterating that I cannot be a drug protector and a drug pusher. I am happy that I was accorded with time by the PRO 7 director,” said Rama, after meeting with regional police director Chief Supt. Debold Sinas at the PRO 7 headquarters, where he also underwent a drug test.

Sinas explained to Rama that the PRO 7 has no authority to clear the individuals who was named by President Duterte as drug protectors.

“Camp Crame has an adjudication board but it is for PNP personnel. We don’t have that for civilians. What we can do is we can make a repot and submit it to Camp Crame. We can help him (Rama) to settle this issue once and for all but whether we can get a favorable response, that I cannot say,” Sinas said.

It was in August 2016 when Rama was named by PresidentDuterte as one of the drug protectors during his speech at the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao Multi-Purpose Covered Court in Camp Panacan, Davao.

Rama said his inclusion in the list of supposed drug protectors is politically motivated.

He added that clearing his name is important especially that he is running for vice mayor in next year’s midterm elections.