By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Binalbagan Vice Mayor Samuel Gavaran denied rumors alleging links to the Islamic State-backed Maute Group, along with claims there is a warrant out for his arrest as a “rebellion to the state.”
In an interview with Aksyon Radyo, Gavaran said he was surprised by the allegations.
“How come I was involved in this because I was here in Binalbagan the whole time?” he asked. “I’m not a supporter of the Maute group, their supporters are millionaires.”
“I want the people of Negros and all the townsfolk of Binalbagan [to know] my conscience is clean,” the vice mayor insisted.
Gavaran said he already spoke with Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr. and the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO) to clarify that he does not have links to the terror group.
He added, the situation may be a case of mistaken identity, which the town official voiced his concern it may damage his political reputation./WDJ