Drug accusations founded on lies – mayor

TUGUEGARAO – The mayor of Buguey town in Cagayan province yesterday denied allegations that he and his family are involved in the illegal drug trade.

In a statement to The STAR, Mayor Llyod Antiporda described President Duterte’s accusation against him and his family as an “absolute lie, baseless, absurd and a product of misinformation” concocted by his political rivals.

Antiporda said he was disheartened to know that even his late grandfather, former mayor Licerio Antiporda Sr., was included in Duterte’s narco list.

“How could they say that my grandfather was an illegal drug peddler or protector when the person has long been dead? It is impossible for him to have involved himself in the illegal drug trade considering that during his time as town mayor illegal drugs had not yet proliferated,” Antiporda said. “We were adamant to believe such information as our family has never engaged in the illegal drug trade. No case has been filed against us in court or other quasi-judicial agencies,” he added.

Antiporda and his vice mayor brother Leeve Christopher won in the last elections.

Named in the President’s narco list are Antiporda’s father Licerio Jr. and brother Licerio III, both former town mayors.

Antipoda said his father is now 74 years old and has been suffering from glaucoma since 2012. He said during the incumbency of his father, Buguey was cited as best Peace and Order Council in the whole province of Cagayan.

The barangay chairman mentioned by Duterte in his expose was Licerio III who headed Barangay Centro from 1997 to 2007.

Licerio III became vice mayor until 2010 and he assumed as mayor until 2013.

Antiporda said during the incumbency of his brother, the Buguey police station had its own building and was wellequipped to fight illegal drug activities.