A LAWYER of an inmate of Talisay City Jail said on Wednesday, June 7, that his client Steve Go is not a drug lord.
Go’s name first surfaced after the arrest of Danilo Ruiz, the younger brother of former Department of Interior and Local Government undersecretary Lito Ruiz, in Talisay City on May 15.
Danilo was allegedly the “facilitator” or the mediator that contacts the underlings of Go while the latter was in prison.
Go's lawyer, Bienvenido Baring, said he was contacted by Go's uncle to conduct a press conference on Wednesday in order to deny the allegations that Go is involved in illegal drugs.
Baring added that the press conference is not something to pre-end or prevent future drug operations but to clear Go's name and protect his family.
“We are trying to save the family from being subjected to trauma in case these allegations will be eventually printed in the press or in the media in general because of the damages that might cause in the family and investments,” Baring said.
“Although, officially I can say that as of now my client has not been charged of any case involving illegal drugs. He is detained at Talisay City Jail on a criminal offense not involving illegal drugs,” Baring added.
Baring said Go is detained for a murder case pending in court.
Steve is the cousin of Frederick Go, who revealed Danilo's identity to the police.
Frederick is an incumbent councilman of Barangay Bulacao, Talisay City and son of former Talisay City councilor Emil Go.
Frederick was caught in a drug raid in Talisay City on March 14.
A car reportedly owned by Steve Go was found parked in Danilo's residence.
Baring, however, said the car was purchased by his client from another person, adding that he did not use it in any illegal activity.
Go is reportedly the half-brother of Bennett Teves, whose house was raided for illegal drugs on May 24 in Sibonga. Teves was not caught during the raid.
Go was also mentioned to have an alleged right-hand man named Jospeh "Tuskig" Reville, who was killed in a shootout with anti-narcotics operatives in Tuburan on May 20.
Baring said his client has no plans to press charges against the police. (VoxPop Cebu/With Jo Ann Sablad/VoxPop Philippines)
