Richard Gomez on alleged drug links: 'Ridiculous, outright laughable'

Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez on Thursday denied he was involved in illegal drug operations in the Visayas, describing the accusation, made during a Senate investigation, as "ridiculous and outright laughable."

"That is ridiculous and outright laughable," Gomez said on PEP.ph, referring to the testimony of Chief Inspector Leo Laraga during the Senate probe on the killing of Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa inside his detention cell last November 5.

"I will not dignify that with an answer. Huwag nila akong isama sa circus nila," the actor-turned-politician said.

Laraga headed the team from the police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Region 8 that served the search warrant on Espinosa, a suspected drug lord. The police said Espinosa was killed when he decided to shoot it out with them.

Meanwhile, Gomez's legal counsel, Alex Avisado Jr., defended the Ormoc City mayor and his wife, Leyte Rep. Lucy Torrez Gomez, and Board Member Matt Torres, saying they have always been against illegal drugs.

"They are advocates of a clean, active and healthy lifestyle," Avisado said on Facebook. "They have not and will never get involved in drugs. They were resoundingly elected by the people of Ormoc and the 4th District of Leyte based on their solid anti drug campaign."

Avisado said criminal charges can possible await personalities tagging his clients to illegal narcotics trade.

The Gomez couple are currently in London representing the Philippines in the World Travel Mart 2016, according to Avisado.

The actor-turned-politician won the Ormoc City mayoralty during the May 9 elections, unseating Edward Codilla.

Gomez was also one of the organizers of a citizen's movement against illegal drugs dubbed as Mamamayan Ayaw sa Droga before seeking public office. —Joseph Tristan Roxas/KBK, GMA News