Odicta once arrested for 'snatching'

"To have once been a criminal is no disgrace. To remain a criminal is the disgrace." -- Malcolm X

By Alex P. Vidal

NEW YORK CITY -- I first heard the name Melvin "Boyet" Odicta in the early 90's when I edited the stories of our police beat reporters,  Ruby Silubrico and Ednalyn Belonio-Diamante, in Sun Star, a daily newspaper in Western Visayas in the Philippines.
If Odicta was not arrested in a buy-bust operation and raids conducted by elements of the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) then headed by Supt. Vicente Neptuno in his residence in Brgy. Tanza-Esperanza, City Proper, he was nabbed for, believe it or not, snatching!
Since Odicta was never convicted of snatching, either complainants refused to pursue the case for fear of reprisal or lack of interest, or he was a victim of a mistaken identity as he had insisted, according to police.
In other words, the man who raked in millions of pesos allegedly in trafficking of illegal drugs in year 2000 up and became the most-feared character in the underworld, started as small fry.
Odicta had always insisted he was a legitimate businessman. They operated a taxi company and a restaurant. 

'DRUG LORD'

The man tagged by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and by no less than Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Director Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa as "the drug lord", reportedly began as a mere street hooligan.
His sudden transformation from alleged small-time trafficker and "snatcher" to big-time "drug lord" was meteoric, to say the least.
It was when Odicta began to "collaborate" with Merriam Regalado-Porras, who became Mrs. Meriam Odicta, that his name became a byword and his empire ballooned.
Meriam was widow of the notorious gangster Tikboy Porras of Pototan, Iloilo. Porras was murdered reportedly by his former cohorts in a beach resort in Iloilo City in early 80s.
Porras, who also reportedly dabbled as hired killer, was one of the fast-rising illegal drug traffickers in Iloilo province when he was killed, police said. 
Police said it was possible that Meriam "inherited" her dead husband's connections and sources in the illicit deals.

CONVICT

When Odicta was sentenced to life imprisonment for violation of Republic Act 6425 or the Dangerous Drugs Act of 1972, he met some of the jailed criminal bigwigs in the New Bilibid Prison, believed to be the source of first-grade metamphetamine chloride or shabu.
Authorities viewed his alleged connections in the New Bilibid Prison mafia plus Meriam's "well-entrenched" tentacles as "formidable" combinations.
When he was released under a controversial circumstance in the 90's, Odicta made a name in the underworld as "Dragon", his nom de guerre in the New Bilibid Prison probably inspired by the huge dragon tattoo on his body. 
Dragon was reportedly both feared by his rivals and admired by his cohorts. His connections were so wide and powerful that he became untouchable for a long time, police said.
The Odicta couple were gunned down by unidentified assailants as they arrived via ro-ro in Caticlan, Aklan on August 29.
They came from a meeting with Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Ismael "Mike" Sueno in Metro Manila where they reportedly submitted a list containing the "illegal drug trade matrix", a report denied by the couple's lawyers.

Dragon stares at death but couldn't spit fire

"He who does not prevent a crime when he can, encourages it."
--Lucius Annaeus Seneca

By Alex P. Vidal

NEW YORK CITY -- In the hands of his executioners, suspected drug lord Melvin "Boyet" Odicta Sr, popularly known as "Dragon", saw imminent death.
Based on manner of his execution, there was no way Dragon could escape and survive.
A gunman shot Dragon and wife Merriam as they alighted from a roll-on roll-off vessel at around 1:30 a.m. in Caticlan, Aklan August 28, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Superintendent Dionardo Carlos confirmed.
"Please get me out of here," Dragon, limping with a bullet wound on the right foot, pleaded to his lawyer Gualberto Cataluna over mobile phone.

The most feared underworld personality could not even spit a fire as he struggled to avoid being finished off after surviving the first volley of shots. 

TRAP

But he was trapped. And Dragon probably knew he was finished.
Dragon was supposed to be brought to a Malay hospital but witnesses, including Cataluna, claimed policemen handcuffed him.
Minutes later, the man considered as "the most powerful and well-connected drug lord" in Western Visayas, was dead.
He had bullet wounds in the body and head, it was reported.
Before he died, Dragon witnessed how his wife, Merriam, was peppered with bullets in the back.  
The Odictas were declared dead on arrival in the hospital.
The couple were on their way to Iloilo from Manila where they were reported earlier to have "surrendered" to Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Ismael Sueno.
Cataluna insisted they sought Sueno's help because of threats they were getting in Iloilo and did not surrender.
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Director Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa earlier tagged Dragon as "the drug lord." He had vowed to wipe out all the drug lords in six months.

EVIDENCE

There was no evidence that the hard-hitting PNP chief had ordered Dragon's killing. He asserted that he does not tolerate summary executions but vowed to "get hard" on criminals, especially the drug lords.
For a while, Dragon seemed untouchable. 
He repeatedly denied envolvement in trafficking of illegal drugs insisting he was a legitimate taxi operator. The couple managed the Melvin taxi company, among other businesses in Iloilo City.
For so many years now, a mere mention of Dragon's name evoked fears among local law enforcers, business rivals, politicians, and crusading mediamen.
He had "friends" in almost all sectors and organizations. He was also reportedly a "benevolent" election campaign contributor.
Residents in places where Dragon had businesses and houses wouldn't comment about the nature of his other "businesses" and sources of income, we were informed. He also reportedly provided sacks of rice, cash for tuition and hospital bills, among other financial assistance, to poor neighbors.

CORRUPT

Some corrupt cops, politicians, thugs, and media personalities were reportedly under his payroll. 
Some of the unsolved gruesome murders involving policemen, media personalities, underworld characters and even ordinary employees had been reportedly linked to Dragon and his associates.
No charges have been filed against them, however, in relation to these gangland-style killings.
Aksyon Radyo, a local radio station in Iloilo City, became Dragon's fiercest critic and continued to expose his alleged illegal activities amid threats of reprisal and harassment.
Dragon and his cohorts had been charged with trying to invade the radio station two years ago. They were caught on CCTV seizing some gadget owned by the radio station during the raid.
Dragon's death reportedly left a vaccum in the leadership of illegal drugs in the city and province of Iloilo. 

TENTACLES

"At least his tentacles will now start to be decimated now that the main head has been cut off," a namesake, Boyet, who now lives in California, said. "He was probably killed by his protectors for fear he might squeal on their partnership."
Boyet said some of Dragon's protectors "are so powerful and prominent. Ilonggos will be shocked if they will know who they are."
Boyet, a former underworld character, said Dragon's protectors had been "looking for the right opportunity" to strike starting when they learned that Dragon's name was included in the list of suspected drug lords in the country secured by President Rodrigo Duterte.
"They have finally caught him up in Caticlan," Boyet averred. "Happy days (for the Ilonggos) will come again (after Dragon's demise)."

Hypocrites casting a stone at city tourism chief

"The only vice that cannot be forgiven is hypocrisy. The repentance of a hypocrite is itself hypocrisy."  William Hazlitt

By Alex P. Vidal

NEW YORK CITY -- If they think they don't live in glass houses, detractors of Iloilo City tourism officer Junel Divinagracia should not telegraph their punches and hide in anonymity.
These detractors wanted to raise some "sensitive concerns" now that the city council is set to confirm her appointment after being appointed to the position by Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog on October 19.
She replaced Ben Jimena, who has retired but is still part of Mabilog's cabinet as consultant.
Some city councilors, who hate to be accused as field reporters of Boy Abunda and Inday Badiday, have alerted Divinagracia, who was in Manila for APEC Leaders’ Meeting from Nov. 16 to 19.
The city councilors are also aware that they are not saints, thus they can't just easily jump the gun on Divinagracia without due process.

SENSITIVE

Other public officials (both in the executive and legislative branches) are also being bedeviled by the so-called "sensitive" private matters like Divinagracia, but they weren't placed under hot seats because they are males.
By zeroing in on Divinagracia, the shades of bitterness, bias, prejudice and double standard are very much evident on the motives of these hypocrites.
Is it possible that the snakes are just around the corridors of power sibilating?
Let us remind them of Matthew 7:3 that says, "Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?"
And also John 8:7 that says, "And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, 'Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.'"

-o0o-

BY giving the municipal mayors liberty to select their own bet for Iloilo vice governor, Gov. Arthur "Art" Defensor Sr. was short in saying that "I am caught between the devil and the deep blue sea."
As an astute politician, Defensor will never take side, at least not yet, while everyone in the poker table is still in the guessing game. 
Vice gubernatorial aspirants Neil "Junjun" Tupas Jr. and Christine Garin, both with political parties affiliated with the Liberal Party (LP), are hoping like anxious suitors to get King Arthur's blessing.
The governor has vowed earlier to campaign only for the party's official candidate.

AFFILIATE

Garin, mayor of Guimbal, Iloilo, is with the National Unity Party (NUP), an LP affiliate. 
She is the sister of Iloilo first district Rep. Oscar "Richard" Garin Jr. and the sister-in-law of Health Secretary Janette L. Garin, Richard's wife.
Her family has questioned Tupas' certificate of nomination and acceptance (Cona) as "official" LP bet for vice governor.
Defensor has long reconciled with the two powerful political clans in the province, and they have been working together under the umbrella of President Aquino's ruling party.
Political observers think Defensor has already in mind who to pick when push comes to shove, but is only keeping the aces in his sleeves.
Who will the fountain bless?  
The answer to that question is another question: Which clan is the lesser evil?

Why everyone wants to become vice governor

"If we open a quarrel between past and present, we shall find that we have lost the future." Winston Churchill

By Alex P. Vidal

NEW YORK CITY -- Is year 2016 the right time to become vice governor of Iloilo province in the Philippines?
We suspect even former Philippine Coconut Administrator (PCA) administrator Oscar "Oca" Garin Sr. is itching to become vice governor.
His aim actually is to eventually capture capitol, the only tiara missing in his political resume. 
But the formidable Garins of Iloilo's first district has officially fielded Guimbal mayor Christine against Rep. Neil "Junjun" Tupas Jr., "gunslinger" of another powerful political clan in the fifth district.
The patriarch Garin can still substitute for his daughter in the eleventh hour as the Garins are wont to do in the previous polls.
Both the Garin and Tupas clans were supposed to be "united" under one political roof of Pres. Noynoy Aquino with a modus vivendi to support the reelection of Gov. Arthur "Art" Defensor Sr.
Everything was going well until the deadline for the filing of certificate of candidacy (COC) in the Commission on Elections recently.

FALLOUT

The apparent fallout between the Garins and Tupases happened when Junjun decided the run the gamut from the congressional match-up in his district involving his younger brother, Vice Governor Raul "Boboy", against Junjun's wife, Angeli Lee, to the province's second highest position, where he himself is the candidate purportedly representing the Liberal Party (LP).
Feeling "betrayed", the Garins responded with a Queen's Indian Defense vis-a-vis the Tupases' Fianchetto.
And the die cast.
Had it not been for the imposing leadership by LP big man, Senate President Franklin Drilon, Junjun or any member of the clan, for that matter, would've challenged Defensor, who is on his last term.
Or the Garins versus Defensor.
But because no powerful clan can now touch Defensor with a ten- foot pole in as far as the 2016 elections are concerned, they are now up for a battle royale in the vice gubernatorial post.
With or without intervention of President Aquino and Drilon, everyone will salivate for the capitol's second highest position. 
The scuttlebutt is that due to health reasons, Defensor might decide to yield his position and give way to the vice governor before 2019.
Thus, the Tupas versus Garin toss up has become a fait accompli.

Ilonggos face moral bankruptcy with STL’s surge

“Disappointment is a sort of bankruptcy-the bankruptcy of a soul that expends too much in hope and expectation.” 
                                                                          Eric Hoffer

By Alex P. Vidal

GAMBLING–legal or illegal—should not be used as a weapon to fight poverty.

There are many ways to combat poverty.

Number one is population control.

A bloated population means more mouths to be fed.

Less people means less problems on malnutrition; less problems on shortage of food production; less problems on housing; less problems on employment and other social services.

The government won’t be over-burdened.

Inviting investors to build factories; encouraging small-scale businesses; and pushing for income-generating programs and activities that provide employment opportunities.  

But not gambling.

Gambling corrupts both the poor and the rich.

It corrupts those in political power absolutely as they stand to benefit once we allow gambling like small town lottery (STL) to be legalized in Iloilo province.

Poverty can’t be solved overnight.

We are supposed to embrace the value of hard work if we want to rise in the economic ladder, and not to depend on numbers game.

STL, when legalized, can provide employment for those who solicit bets, but it will eat up the moral fiber of Ilonggos, who will only rely their luck-or even next meals-in the game of chance.

Since they expect to win an instant lump sum of cash for a small bet by the stroke of luck, Ilonggos will become head-over-heels with STL.

MANNA

They will only wait for the manna from heaven, thus they will end up lazy and won’t dream big beyond earning via easy money schemes.

Gambling will also teach Ilonggos to become subservient to politicians or those who advocated for the removal of any barrier to make it legal.

Gambling or the legalization of STL will also send a wrong signal to the younger generation.

When our own leaders are the ones pushing for gambling, it means it’s not evil per se; it means whether it is moral or immoral depends on the interpretation or choice of our leaders.

The church has been consistent on its stand against any form of gambling, much less any move to provide it with a legal structure.

We expect the church to make a solid stand once the provincial board of Iloilo will pass a resolution to give the governor’s office the green signal in favor of the legalization of STL.

We already have so many legalized gambling operations in the country.

LOTTO

Online-lotto under the auspices of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PSCO) is one of them.

But life of the Filipinos has not improved.

Many still live under the poverty belt.

Crime rate is still blamed on overpopulation, unemployment and lack of economic opportunities for qualified job-seekers.

The number of poor has not been reduced.

Despondent heads of families will no longer dream big and will be hooked on the legalized gambling for instant relief from the rigors of life.

In STL, only the politicians and police will stand ten feet tall, not the members of the hoi polloi.

It will not ensure an instant food on the table for bettors; it will not ensure an instant tuition fee for the students; it will not ensure a better life for Ilonggos as a whole.

Ilonggos will suffer from moral and even spiritual bankruptcy.

Gallar a pawn in STL saga?

“I can't speak on behalf of the show. I'm not a creator; I'm just a pawn.”  Randy Harrison

By Alex P. Vidal

THE main reason why small town lottery (STL) was not legalized in the province of Iloilo is because then Gov. Neil D. Tupas Sr. was against illegal gambling per se.

Under Tupas, STL was never a serious topic. 

It's a taboo.

Tupas would pay attention to anyone who visited his office and even his house in Hechanova, Jaro district, Iloilo City but would sneer at those who would convince him to support gambling operation in the province.

Although the provincial board had passed a resolution interposing no objection to the operation of STL in the province, it met a major snag due to Tupas’ lackadaisical attitude.

No one could fathom why Tupas, who reigned from 2001 until 2010, was so allergic to gambling.

On several occasions, Tupas gave cold shoulder treatment to liaisons of gambling operators lobbying for the STL in the province.

Reports that Tupas “nixed a monthly payola” from illegal gambling operators were confirmed by the most diligent factotum of Bogart, one of Iloilo’s most powerful and most influential illegal gambling operators.

“Sakit sa ulo na si gob (Tupas). Ka tig a gid. (It’s hard to convince Governor Tupas. He is really hard),” the diligent factotum grumbled.

The grapevine was so loud at that time that as long as Tupas was the governor, there’s no way for STL or any gambling activity to prosper, much less be legalized in the province.

LIGHT

Under the administration of Gov. Arthur “Art” Defensor Sr., gambling or STL found light at the end of the tunnel, finally.

In fact, Defensor is himself pushing to allow STL in the province in order to solve the problems brought by its clandestine operations.

The governor’s ally in the provincial board, Manny Gallar, has started the ball rolling.

In the recent regular session of the provincial board, Gallar sponsored a resolution pushing for legalization of STL.

Gallar’s move came in the heels of former Iloilo first district congressman Oscar “Oca” Garin’s Sr. saber-rattling that some municipal mayors and police chiefs in his district were receiving protection racket from illegal gambling operators.

Interestingly, Garin’s only son, Rep. Oscar “Richard” Garin Jr., acting as chair of the committee as a whole, introduced the board resolution in 2010 when the latter was still the vice governor.

Garin Jr’s committee in 2010 held public consultations and concluded that “the operation of STL in the province will not contribute in cultivating a culture of immoral gambling among the Ilonggos; the societal value of STL as a tool to eradicate jueteng, an illegal numbers game, may be enhanced by allowing its operations, and from the standpoint of government as the primary agency charged with addressing the needs of its people, it can be prudently argued that the funds generated from STL appear to promise available resources for a more responsive and effective delivery of basis services to its constituents.”

CHARITY

STL charity fund sharing scheme suggested that the host city or municipality gets the biggest slice of the STL revenue share at 10 percent. 

Capitol and the PNP will get five percent apiece.

Each of the five districts of Iloilo will earn 2.5 percent.

With Defensor’s imprimatur, Gallar’s resolution is expected to have a smooth sailing.

Gambling proponents think now is the right time to step up the campaign to legalize STL because of the apparent harmonious relationship between Defensor and the provincial legislature.

No feud means no opposition. 

No check and balance?

When he was still anchorman of Bombo Radyo Iloilo, Gallar lambasted illegal gambling operations in the city and province in his early morning radio program.

He was fearless and consistent in his anti-illegal gambling commentaries.

As a provincial board member, Gallar now advocates for STL’s legalization.

A 360-degree turn for the diminutive politician from Cabatuan, Iloilo.

He must only be a pawn in this saga.

  

Flood not a reason to spit at our officials

“As a biblical inerrantist, I believe that what the Bible teaches is true and bow to the text, including its teaching about the Flood and its universality.” William A. Dembski

By Alex P. Vidal

Hot-tempered and impatient, many Ilonggos were quick to rib their public officials by calling them “negligent” and “incompetent” each time flash floods would cascade down the city and province of Iloilo brought by monsoon rains.

They scored their public officials’ failure to come up with comprehensive plans and management on flood control, and for their lack of foresight and preparations to deal with natural calamities.

While we have an abundance of neglectful and even incompetent public officials, our problems on flood control and other disasters won’t be solved overnight if the only quick-fix solution we believe to be most effective is to train the guns and crucify them only because we are irritated and inconvenienced. 

Much as they would like to solve this gnawing problem, most of them just don’t have the capacity and extra time and energy to deal with floods, which requires devotion of their full attention, experience and technical expertise.

Most of our public officials become allergic to media interviews when the people start to become restless and hell-bent to wring their necks for being the convenient scapegoats.

POLITICIANS

Take note that most of our public officials are politicians and not urban planners. They are good in debates and SOPs (standard operating procedures, the euphemism for kickbacks on projects), not on dredging of dams, building of manholes and dikes, pipelines, water canals, and other technical works.

Many of us may argue that the public officials’ job is merely ministerial and they can always legislate or enact ordinances and laws, or issue executive fiats, to that effect, to commence the urban planning and widening of waterways and other infrastructure projects that can help address the flood problem. The tasks are inherent in their powers under the local government code.

But knowing the mentally of most politicians nowadays, worrying about gargantuan problems that would eat up a big bulk of their time and energy would be the least of their concerns.

After all, our politicians have fixed terms and aren’t married to their positions. They come and go and are normally at their best only when elections are near or when they are trying to deodorize their tattered image.

PROBLEMS

Floods, like power blackouts, have been the perennial problems of the Ilonggos. There is no escape, actually, whether we like it or not.

Geographically, Western Visayas sits in the area where typhoons from the east, west, north and south poles regularly pass, thus there is no way for us to be spared from their wrath. Plus Iloilo is a highly urbanized city with a large population. In thickly populated areas, garbage problem that clog the drainage is one cause of flash floods, not to mention the wanton cutting of trees in the province’s mountainous areas.

As city residents, we are living witnesses since high school days how flash floods rattled the commuters and pedestrians that are mostly students and office workers caught flat-footed while on their way to schools and offices vice versa; how traffic disrupted important schedules and destroyed appointments.

Floods also wreak havoc on business establishments that lose substantial amount of income when potential customers are stranded and unable to go shopping.

Instead of pointing accusing fingers at our public officials it is best if we do our own share in the preventive measure. After all, an ounce of prevention is always better than a pound of cure.