Rama leaves security to God
“I leave it to God.” This was the reaction of former Cebu City mayor Michael Rama on the directive from Camp Crame not to grant security escorts to candidates who are on the narcolist.
Rama was tagged by President Rodrigo Duterte as drug protector. The former mayor has since denied it.
While he admitted that security is always a concern, Rama also believes that he has nothing to worry about because he claimed to be innocent of the allegation.
“Kanang security is always a concern for any political candidate especially sa akoa… I am innocent and that’s why they have the obligation to delete me. Security? I leave it to God,” Rama said.
Rama has since been trying to seek audience from the President to clear his name. He had also appeared before the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in the hope that his name will be removed from the list.
Rama said he had submitted important documents to PDEA that would help clear his name. Until now he is still waiting for PDEA to clear him.
“I am waiting for PDEA, mao nato. The ball karon is naa na sa PDEA,” Rama said.
Police Regional Office-7 director Chief Superintendent Debold Sinas announced on Monday that the police are not giving security escorts to candidates who are on the narcolist. Sinas said those who are not involved in drugs may submit their request through the Commission on Elections.
Cebu City Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella, an ally of Rama, said he respect the move of the police.
“That is the prerogative of the Philippine National Police. Well of course, I do not intend to question that,” he told reporters yesterday.
Labella, however, said he does not intend to ask for police bodyguard because it is allegedly “expensive” to have one. He said he already have several volunteers who are willing to provide security for him.
“Well, threats are always there but I am not scared. This is my second life, this is my bonus life. I survived in the sinking incident, I was only 47 years old back then and I am now 67. I survived for 20 years, what is there to ask for?” Labella said.
“I am not scared and I don’t think people have the interest to kill me. If there are threats, I think these are franks. I am not scared against anyone. I am scared of God,” Labella added.
Labella is the standard bearer of Barug-PDP Laban in Cebu City with Rama as his runningmate. —