Lirazan: Accusations targeting a ‘group’ that decides elections
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
In response to Negros Occidental Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson being named in a complaint regarding a suspected drug cartel operating out of San Carlos City, Atty. Aaron Lirazan, legal counsel to the provincial official, called the matter “politically motivated.”
During a press conference over the weekend, Lirazan called the allegations “baseless” and “unfounded,” saying, besides the political angle, he could not think of any other motive to implicate the vice governor.
In addition, San Carlos City Vice Mayor Rene Gustilo, who was previously unnamed in earlier reports, was revealed to be another political figure named in the case.
“Political season is just around the corner,” the attorney noted.
He also discussed a certain group operating in the Negros Occidental first congressional district that determines election outcomes in the area, noting, they consistently gather enough votes for their preferred candidate.
“This has been proven since 1995, until [the] 2016 elections,” Lirazan explained. “These trumped up charges are politically-motivated to destroy the strength of the group.”
He also said Lacson, Gustilo, and Marton Cui, another one of the accused, do not have bodyguards and drive themselves, calling it an indication they are not linked with illegal drugs. The attorney went on to provide a contrast with Alfredo Hulleza, one of the accusers.
“Hulleza, with no visible means of living, can afford to hire the services of drivers and bodyguards,” Lirazan.
The accuser previously admitted to having links with illegal drugs, saying, he cut ties with the drug group this year, claiming they turned on him. He explained, the organization attempted to assassinate both him and his brother, killing the latter.
Earlier this month, complaint-affidavits were filed before the National Bureau of Investigation naming Lacson, Gustilo, Cui, suspected drug lord Peter Lim, Ildefonso Virtucio, Jr., and Marcial Garingo as being linked to a San Carlos drug cartel.
The vice governor earlier called the allegations “re-hashed.”/DGB, WDJ