Atty. Fortun: Alleged drug lord Odicta did not surrender, did not have 'drug matrix'

Lawyer Raymond Fortun, the legal counsel of alleged drug lord Melvin Odicta denied on Thursday that his client surrendered and had a so-called drug matrix that listed government officials involved in illegal drugs.

Fortun said Odicta did not surrender to Interior Secretary Mike Sueno as stated in a media advisory earlier sent by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

“Massive disinformation. No surrender because they are not in PRRD (President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s) list…Melvin Odicta is not involved in drugs and does not have any drug matrix,” Fortun said in a text message when asked for clarification.

He added that the Odictas were told by the Region 6 police director to report to Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa but they decided to talk to Sueno.

Information from the DILG said as of 4:00 p.m., Sueno and Odicta were having a private conversation with Fortun.

The meeting is ongoing, as of posting time.

The DILG earlier said that around 2:00 p.m., Odicta’s wife went to Sueno’s office to inform them that Melvin was "shaking" inside their car and asked for an hour to calm him.

Odicta reportedly requested for security. — VVP, GMA News