BACOLOD City – “Thank God, I’m alive.”
Former councilor Ricardo “Cano” Tan has resurfaced after almost two years of staying away from the public eye.
Tan immediately took a leave of absence after he and his wife Anita were ambushed by armed men in December 2018.
President Rodrigo Duterte linked Tan to illegal drugs during a private birthday party of a Vallacar Transit executive at a hotel here in January 2019.
He had been “cleared”, Tan announced to journalists during a conference at Campuestohan Highland Resort in Talisay City, Negros Occidental yesterday.
He cited an undated document signed by Police Brigadier General Rene Pamuspusan, former regional director of the Police Regional Office 6.
“This pertains to your (Tan) letter dated Aug. 6, 2020, requesting for an issuance of clearance and/or certification clearing your name and that of your family from any links or participation to alleged illegal drug trade activities,” it read.
It went on: “(Be i)nformed that as per report from concerned offices under my jurisdiction, the information allegedly linking you and your family in the illegal drug trade has not been substantiated by concrete evidence as of this date.”
According to Tan, Duterte ordered the law enforcement agency to conduct validation and re-validation related to the allegations thrown against him.
“That’s official,” Tan stressed. “That’s final… My name is clean sa tanan nga akusasyon kontra sa akon.”
Tan further lamented: “In December 2018, my world crumbled! And in January 2019, my world was completely shattered. That time, I thought it was already the end of everything.”
“God works in mysterious ways, and through his mantle of protection and divine guidance, today I am happy to say that I have made it through the storm,” Tan said.
The former councilor shared he had been “living under fear of sleepless nights and constant uncertainty.”
“Indi gid mahapos ang amon naagyan nga pagtilaw,” Tan continued. “While I was away searching for truth and justice, I cried a river of tears, day and night. As a lolo, I miss my apos, ang ila mga kadlaw and their sweet ‘I love yous’. I cried just to think about my wife working so hard to keep our family business running.”
“I am happy now… mag-upod sa akon mga apo, mag atubang sa amon mga employees and entertain friends in the safe comfort of our home,” he added.
Any plans for the 2022 elections?
Tan clarified he will no longer venture into politics though he said he will always be willing to serve the people./PN
