I told you so.

This was the reaction of Tagbilaran Mayor Dan Lim on the relief of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Region 7 chief Adrian Alvariño who will reportedly go on schooling. The PDEA head was replaced by Jigger Montalana who took his oath of office last week. Lim had predicted Alvariño’s relief which came after the controversial arrest of suspected drug lord Sherwin Bautista in Loon town. The mayor’s prediction was bannered by the Post last week after he revealed that the relief followed Capitol’s lukewarm reaction to Bautista’s arrest and the reported argument between Alvariño and provincial administrator Alfonso Damalerio II. Barely had the ink dried on the Post issue when the relief was confirmed by Alvariño who has reported to be in possession of the identities of Bautista’s network of connection including his coddlers in the government. Capitol had downplayed the questions raised by Lim over the circumstances surrounding Alvariño’s relief which was consistent with its cold reaction to Bautista’s arrest.

Lim kept up his pressure on those whom he accused of playing footsy with Bautista even though he admitted receiving warnings from well-meaning friends who have expressed concern over his hard-hitting pronouncements on the controversy. “Public service has its risks when you are sincere about getting concrete results,” the mayor said. Lim said that he admits that the risks are real but added that they are worth taking considering the harmful effects of the proliferation of illegal drugs in the community. “There is no such thing as a neutral stance in the fight against illegal drugs,” he added. The outspoken mayor said he is no saint but at least he is clear about three things. “First, I am not conniving with Bautista in any way because I have always been opposed to using assets with jaded backgrounds,” he added.

The mayor said that he is not accusing anybody but is wondering why Bautista was accepted as an asset and why authorities are using his money in operations as alleged. Secondly, Lim said he is not Bautista’s coddler. “If he was arrested in Tagbilaran, my critics would go to town accusing me of being his coddler,” he noted. Lim said that his critics would surely make a big issue on why Bautista feels safe to move around the city if the arrest was carried out in Tagbilaran. But since Bautista was arrested in Loon, the mayor said nobody dared ask the reactions of Mayor Lloyd Peter Lopez, Board Member Cesar Tomas Lopez and Cong. Rene Relampagos.

Finally, Lim said he is sure that he is not a protector of Bautista. The mayor pointed out that when Bautista was arrested, the apprehending authorities did not get even a handshake from authorities. Instead, Alvariño was suddenly relieved of his duties which many people interpret as a rebuke for the arrest of Bautista. Lim said people should realize that the fight against drug is a fight to the finish because it threatens not just the lives of the citizens in the community but of the very foundations of society. “Those who wash their hands and think they have nothing to do with it should think again,” he added. The mayor said he hopes those who are singing sweet music with drug operatives will not find out too late that this social cancer afflicts even those who benefit from it. “You are enjoying the fruits of poison money so you know what to expect,” he added.