Duterte releases illegal drug trade matrix at the New Bilibid Prison
President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday released the matrix showing the supposed links of Sen. Leila de Lima and other former and current government officials to the alleged illegal drug operations inside the New Bilibid Prison.
Aside from De Lima, other former and current government officials in the matrix are former Pangasinan governor and now Pangasinan Rep. Amado Espino Jr., former Justice Undersecretary Francisco "Toti" Baraan III, his brother Pangasinan Provincial Administrator Rafael "Raffy" Baraan, retired Gen. Franklin Bucayo and Pangasinan Board Member Raul Sison.
De Lima's former driver and alleged lover, Ronie Dayan, is also in the matrix. He was described as being known as "Boss De Lima" or "case fixer" in Urbiztondo, Pangasinan, of well-known politicians.
Duterte had earlier announced that he is releasing a matrix, which shows the structure of the illegal drug trade at the NBP and De Lima's supposed involvement in it.
Duterte forgot the copy in his house so it was just distributed to media practitioners after a press conference was held in Davao City on the wee hours of Thursday. He did not issue a statement regarding the said matrix.
Hours after the release of the matrix, De Lima just laughed off the accusation, saying she is 100 percent sure of her innocence.
In a press conference, De Lima said the matrix deserves to be put in a "garbage can."
DUTERTE'S ACCUSATIONS. President Rodrigo Duterte holds a press conference before showing media his New Bilibid Prison drug matrix on August 25, 2016. Photo by Karl Norman Alonzo/PPD
MANILA, Philippines – The evidence used as basis for President Rodrigo Duterte's New Bilibid Prison drug matrix went through "thorough validation" before it was publicized, said the Palace on Thursday, August 25.
In a Thursday press release, Malacañang said Duterte refrained from showing the matrix to the public "until all the persons listed there have been confirmed to be involved in the country's drug problem."
Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said the prominent names of Senator Leila de Lima, Pangasinan 5th District Representative Amado Espino Jr, and others found their way into the matrix because of intelligence from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).
"President Duterte would not mention her name if he did not have the evidence to back the claim.” Andanar said.
Duterte himself, a few days before he revealed the matrix, said it was undergoing "revalidation."
Andanar gave assurances the personalities in the matrix "are given the chance to submit their counter affidavits indicating that they have no involvement in whatsoever capacity in the illegal drug trade."
As with two police generals Duterte previously accused of having links to illegal drugs, law enforcement agencies will gather prima facie evidence against De Lima, Espino, and the others in the matrix.
If enough evidence is gathered, authorities will file charges, said Andanar.
On Thursday morning, Duterte showed media a matrix accusing De Lima, Representative Espino, Pangasinan Provincial Administrator Raffy Baraan, former justice undersecretary Francisco Baraan III, former Bureau of Corrections chief Franklin Bucayu, De Lima's driver Ronnie Dayan, and Pangasinan District Board Member Raul Sison of involvement in the Bilibid drug trade.
De Lima and Espino have denied the accusations, both saying they have fought illegal drugs in their own capacities. (READ: Pangasinan exec: Duterte drugs matrix 'big, horrible joke')
Former justice undersecretary Baraan also said the allegations against him are false.
Source GMA, Rappler, Sunstar.
