Odicta’s mum-in-law slams ‘Ka Eric’ Senate testimony

By Joseph B.A. Marzan

 

The mother of slain Ilongga businesswoman Meriam Odicta slammed former activist Jeffrey Celiz on Wednesday over his Senate testimony.

Candelaria Regalado, who is also the mother-in-law of Melvin “Boyet” Odicta, refuted Celiz’s history with the Odicta family, especially the late patriarch Melvin.

The Odicta couple, who were gunned down in August 2016 in Aklan, were once linked to the illegal drug trade.

Celiz recently hogged the limelight after he presented himself as a government spy within the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA).

He initially used the pseudonym “Eric Almendras” in his media interviews where he backed up the military’s allegations linking cause-oriented groups and other personalities to Communist rebels.

During a Senate hearing Tuesday, Celiz introduced himself as a “deep penetration agent” for the government and claimed to be the one who squealed on the Odicta couple as the leaders of the illegal drug trade in Iloilo City.

In 2016, he was tagged by President Rodrigo Duterte as a party-list congressman with alleged links to the illegal drug trade.

At that time, Celiz also worked as political consultant and spokesperson of former mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog who was also linked to illegal drugs by Pres. Duterte.

Celiz also claimed that he was a “childhood friend” of Melvin Odicta.

But Candelaria Regalado pushed back against Celiz’s claims in an interview with Aksyon Radyo Iloilo station manager John Paul Tia.

Regalado said she always saw Celiz at the Odicta residence in City Proper district when she visited the couple.

But Regalado said it would be impossible for Celiz to be a childhood friend of Melvin as she only saw the former activist at the couple’s house less than year before they were gunned down.

Regalado also claimed that Celiz sought shelter with the Odictas because he had many enemies in the city.

She added that she had warned Meriam and Melvin about Celiz’s intentions.

“He made Boyet (Melvin) his shelter because he was having many enemies. If you recall, Boyet was a kind man to his friends. I kept asking him why Jeffrey was taking shelter, and Boyet would just tell me that he was just asking for advice as a friend. I warned him that he and Miriam might get caught up,” Regalado said.

She also rebuffed Celiz’s claim that he was part of a “special government project” to infiltrate the so-called Odicta drug group.

“How would he be part of it? At that time, and until now, the [agency] that goes after drug lords is the [Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency]? The military did not have access to that! He just goes to Boyet and he would follow him around, and even give advice to him,” she added.

Regalado refused to answer whether she thought Celiz was connected to her daughter and son-in-law’s death.

She said she was only “shocked” by his revelations at the Senate but would not believe them.

“I’m just shocked he would come out and say those things. I don’t believe any word of it. Everything he’s saying is scripted. I am hurt that he would come out and use my family’s name,” she said.

Melvin Odicta was on the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency’s (PDEA) watchlist for alleged trade activities in Iloilo City.

At the time, the couple ran legitimate business such as transportation services and a restaurant.

Pres. Duterte also mentioned Melvin’s name in public speeches, particularly when he discusses the illegal drug problem in the country.

The Odicta couple were shot upon their arrival at the Caticlan Jetty Port in Aklan on August 29, 2016, while they were on their way back to Iloilo.

Prior to their killing, the Odicta couple presented themselves to then-Interior Secretary Ismael Sueño to clear themselves of the charges.