Maasim, Sarangani mayor surrenders to Pacquiao, turned over to PDEA

Maasim, Sarangani Mayor Aniceto Lopez surrendered Friday noon to Senator Manny Pacquiao, hours after his house was raided by government anti-drug operatives.

"When he called up, I advised him to surrender," Pacquiao said in a press release. "Dapat niyang harapin ang anumang kasong isasampa laban sa kanya."

PDEA director general Aaron Aquino said Pacquiao turned over Lopez to them.

“Nag-surrender kay Senator Pacquiao then turned over to us,” Aquino said in a text message to reporters.

He said Lopez denied knowledge of the illegal drugs found in his house.

Charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 and illegal possession of firearms and explosives will be filed against Lopez, who will be detained at PDEA Region 12.

Some P5 million worth of suspected shabu, a mini-shabu laboratory, green book containing drug transactions and money trail were seized in a raid at the house of Lopez early Friday morning.

Also recovered were one pack of suspected party drugs ‘ecstasy’, vials, two cal. 45 pistols, two M203 grenades, two fragmentation grenades, two rifle grenades and drug paraphernalia.

Lopez was not in the house when authorities served the search warrant, but he sent surrender feelers.

PDEA officials coordinated with Pacquiao, party mate of the mayor, for the surrender. Maasim is one of the seven towns of Sarangani, the home province of Pacquiao.

"All the local officials in my home province knew my stand when it comes to illegal drugs trade and corruption," Pacquiao said. "Once they got embroiled in any illegal activities, they cannot expect help from me. I made it clear from the very start."

Pacquiao however said that he doesn’t want to prejudge Lopez's case. 

"I'm not saying that Lopez is guilty. My point is, he should be given a chance to answer the charges that may be filed against him in court," he said.

Lopez was tagged as the leader of El Patron Drug Group that supports Ansar Khalifa Philippines and New People’s Army, according to PDEA.

Aquino said Lopez is not on the narco-list of President Rodrigo Duterte but included oin the PDEA watchlist. —KBK, GMA News