Kin, employees say Odicta couple not involved in illegal drug trade

The relatives and employees of slain businessman Melvin Odicta and his wife Meriam on Tuesday denied that the couple were involved in the illegal drug trade as accused by the Philippine National Police (PNP).

A report by GMA News' Athena Imperial on "24 Oras" said the car barn of Melvin Taxi and Meriam Transport, two of the Odicta couple's businesses in Iloilo City, was noticeably silent a day after the two were gunned down at Caticlan Jetty Port.

Ronie Diodaldo, who has been working for the couple for eight years, attested that the Odictas' fortunes were from legitimate businesses.

"Lahat kami dito witness na yung mga negosyo niya, yung mga tinutulong niya sa ibang tao, sa mga humihingi ng tulong po sa kanila, galing po talaga sa ligal na paraan," said Diodaldo, operations manager of Melvin Taxi.

Aside from taxi and van rental service, the Odicta couple also owns an internet cafe, a water refilling station, a gasoline station and a bar and restaurant, the report said.

The couple, who are based in Iloilo City, met with Interior and Local Government Secretary Mike Sueno last week to clear their name after PNP chief Ronald dela Rosa linked them to the illegal drug operations in the Visayas.

According to Dela Rosa, Melvin Odicta was a top drug lord who goes by the alias "Dragon" among criminal syndicates — a claim that President Rodrigo Duterte supported based on his statements regarding the couple's deaths.

Eduardo Regalado, Meriam Odicta's brother, said Duterte should have confirmed the accusation first before coming up with the statements.

"Hindi niya muna inano masyado kung totoo, kung may katotohanan o wala," he said.

Meanwhile, the couple's lawyer, Raymond Fortun, also denied that Melvin Odicta was a drug lord who submitted a drug matrix to Sueno last week.

"Melvin Odicta did NOT submit any matrix of drug personalities to the DILG, PNP or his lawyers. Melvin Odicta executed a sworn statement before the CIDG last August 25, 2016, but categorically stated that he was not a drug lord, nor was he known as 'Dragon'," he said in the report.

The police are already looking into the killing, according to Malacañang.

"Police have already formed a special task force that would look into the deaths," presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said. "Director of the Western Visayas Regional Police has said that they do value the life of every individual and respect due process." —KBK/KG, GMA News