Cops who raid S. Cotabato mayor's home declared persona non grata

KORONADAL CITY -- Town mayors in South Cotabato have passed a resolution declaring persona non grata all police officers involved in the anti-drug raid against Mayor Albert Palencia of Banga town.Speaking to DXOM-AM Radyo Bida Koronadal, Mayor Reynaldo Tamayo Jr of Tupi town and president of South Cotabato League of Municipalities (KMP) said the resolution will be made public once it is signed by all its members.Tamayo did not name any of the police officers involved in the raid.The PRO-12 in Gen. Santos City is yet to issue a statement on the LMP move.On Thursday last week, the Regional Anti-Illegal Drug Special Operations Task Force (RAIDSOTF), raided Palencia's house serving 18 warrants of arrest for illegal drugs and possession of firearms.No drugs were found but Supt. Maximo Sebastian, RAIDSOTF head who led the operation, said four bullets for cal. 380 and a rifle grenade were found in the mayor's home and piggery, respectively.Palencia was allegedly in the second batch of President Duterte's narcolist.But Palencia repeatedly denied he was into illegal drugs.In fact, he was grateful for the raid because it has proven that he was not into illegal drugs.Tamayo stressed the LMP is not opposed to anti-drug police operation provided it is carried out in accordance with law and that rights of the subjects of search warrants are not violated. He added the police will have a hard time in the campaign against illegal drugs without the cooperation of the local government units.The LMP president denied police claim that the raid on Palencia's home was leaked.According to Tamayo, the mayors agreed in a meeting to help each other to ensure no planting of evidence when their homes are subjected to anti-drug raid.Palencia is still detained at Banga police lock-up cell awaiting resolution of his petition to post bail.