Pangasinan Rep. Espino denies drug links, eyes meeting with Duterte

Pangasinan Rep. Amado Espino Jr. on Thursday denied that he is involved in illegal drug transactions inside the national penitentiary.

Espino, a former Pangasinan governor, made the denial hours after President Rodrigo Duterte released a matrix showing government officials and private individuals involved in the drug operations inside the New Bilibid Prison.

In a statement, Espino said he was "taken aback" by his inclusion in the drug matrix, and distanced himself from Sen. Leila de Lima, the highest official involved in the supposed drug operations inside the NBP based on the matrix.

"First, I have never been associated with Sec de Lima in a friendly manner, especially since she was mainly instrumental in pursuing the investigation of a fabricated murder case against me at the height of the elections in 2012-2013," he said.

He added that he is "staunchly" against illegal drugs, noting that he is one of the authors of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

In a press conference in Dagupan City, Espino said he wants to personally speak with Duterte and Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa to clear his name.

"Uulitin ko po, we are in full support dito sa project na ito ni President Duterte, dito po sa drug campaign niya, at dito po sa peace and order," he said.

He said the accusation against him has already affected his family.

Espino said he'd been to the NBP only once when he visited former Zamboanga del Norte Romeo Jaloslos, a rape convict.

He also said he only met De Lima and her former driver-bodyguard Ronnie Dayan, who is also in Duterte's matrix, only once. —KBK, GMA News