THE vice mayor of Binalbagan town in Negros Occidental vehemently denied his alleged links to the Mindanao-based Maute terror group.
Vice Mayor Samuel Gavaran was included in the arrest order issued last week by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, administrator of Martial Law in Mindanao.
The seven-page document, which directed government forces to arrest and investigate about 200 terrorists and supporters, said that the names in the list were identified as members/supporters/spies/couriers of Maute Group, Abu Sayyaf Group, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, and Maguid Group.
It added that the individuals were responsible for “indiscriminately killing, kidnapping, perpetuating bombings in Marawi City and some parts of Mindanao, and sowing terror in the populace and prompted by common designs, come to an agreement and decision to commit the crime of rebellion.”
The document also said that the government troopers were “hereby directed to arrest, take into custody, and conduct/continue the investigation on the following personalities for violation of Article 134 (Rebellion) of the Revised Penal Code,” in pursuant to Proclamation No. 216, which placed Mindanao under martial law for 60 days.
However, Gavaran, in an interview with Aksyon Radyo Bacolod Wednesday, June 14, said the allegation that he is a supporter of a terror group is not true.
The vice mayor said he was shocked when he learned about the list, reiterating that he has nothing to do with the accusation.
Mayor Emmanuel Aranda, for his part, came into the defense of Gavaran.
He said he was also shocked that the vice mayor was included in the list.
“I cannot understand why,” the mayor said.
Aranda added that he knows Gavaran and his family well, and he believed that the vice mayor has no connections with the terrorist group.
While he admitted that he and the vice mayor have their indifferences and are not partymates, Aranda said the allegation against Gavaran is not true.
He said he went to the vice mayor’s house last Monday and advised Gavaran to go to the police and clear his name.
Aranda said he is not alarmed because he believed it is not true.