By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The New People’s Army (NPA) Leonardo Panaligan Command on Monday refuted accusations made by Moises Padilla Mayor Magdaleno Peña claiming the group was receiving money to protect drug lord operating in Negros Occidental.

In a statement by their spokesperson Ka JB Regalado, the group called the mayor’s statements “all lies.”

He said Peña’s statements were “mere drawings” and denied allegations Tata and Boyet Bertucio, who the mayor claims begin the drug trade in Moises Padilla, are under NPA protection.

The spokesperson went on to say “it is not in the vocabulary of the NPA to provide protection to persons involved in illegal drugs” and accused Peña of being a land grabber who stored firearms, as well as a “notorious drug lord.”

He also called it “very shameful” for the mayor to claim credit for the recent seizure of P72 million worth of shabu in San Carlos City.

The NPA spokesperson also claimed the Moises Padilla mayor was conducting a “cover-up” and “political divergence” when the latter included San Carlos City and Calatrava as parts of the “drug route” in northern Negros.

Regalado also called Peña a “fake” Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) adviser after PDEA Regional Director Emerson Margate recently revealed he was unaware of Peña’s designation as an agency adviser in Western Visayas.

Peña, however, presented documents signed by now-Bureau of Customs chief Isidro Lapeña, who previously served as PDEA director, confirming his appointment as adviser for the agency.

Regalado claimed that it is a cover-up and political divergence that Peña is projecting that San Carlos and Calatrava are allegedly the “drug route” in northern Negros.

He added, the Pulupandan port, which is allegedly protected by the Moises Padilla mayor, is where illegal drugs are being shipped and transported.

Regalado also challenged Peña to face the reported complaints by town resident claiming the latter is incompetent./DGB, WDJ