THE vindication of the vice mayor of Binalbagan, Negros Occidental from his supposed link to the Maute group was an answered prayer, his spouse said on Friday, June 16.
Delilah Gavaran, wife of Vice Mayor Samuel Gavaran said they were relieved after Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana called them the other night and cleared the official of his alleged connection to the Maute terror group.
Last week, Lorenzana issued an arrest order for some 200 members, supporters, spies, and couriers of Maute Group, Abu Sayyaf Group, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and Maguid Group. The list included a certain Samuel Gavaran.
The vice mayor’s wife said Lorenzana apologized to them for dragging the official into the controversy, adding that the one in the government’s list was Gavaran’s namesake, who is from northern Mindanao.
Gavaran’s wife said that earlier this week, intelligence officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines came to neighboring localities – Himamaylan City, Hinigaran, and Isabela – to verify the background of the vice mayor.
“They did not get information that my husband has links to Maute. The people told them that he is a good man,” Delilah said.
She said they didn’t think that the vice mayor will be implicated in the list, adding that the issue is not a joke.
Delilah added that they have no money, so it’s impossible that his husband will be a protector of the terrorist group.
Inspite of the trials, they remained faithful to God and prayed that they will get through it, she said.
She recalled that she got worried that her husband might go to jail even if he is innocent, adding that she told the vice mayor that they need to get a good lawyer.
However, the vice mayor told her to keep the faith as they will be able to solve their problem in a few days because the Lord is their lawyer, she said.
She said they are all happy, relieved, and thankful that God answered their prayers, adding that the truth will always prevail.
Delilah thanked the Binalbagan residents as well as Mayor Emmanuel Aranda for their support and for believing that the allegation is not true.
Aranda, for his part, said he is thankful that Gavaran was cleared from the issue.
“I believe that vice is not that kind of person,” he said.