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[av_heading heading=’JED GIRDS FOR DILG DRUG PROBE ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
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ILOILO City – Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog is willing to be investigated by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) for his alleged involvement in illegal drugs.
The spokesperson of the city’s chief executive confirmed that Mabilog received a letter from DILG’s central office inviting the mayor to a meeting regarding an impending investigation to be conducted by the department’s Task Force Agila.
“We went there (after receiving the letter last month). We were asked if we’re willing to cooperate with the task force and we said we were more than willing to comply,” said Atty. Mark Piad.
Mabilog, however, has yet to receive a subpoena, Piad clarified.
President Rodrigo Duterte tagged Mabilog a drug coddler during an Aug. 7 speech. The mayor denied this.
Task Force Agila, chaired by DILG undersecretary John Castriciones was created in August days after Duterte’s speech as a legal and investigatory task force.
“Wala man may gina-tago si Mayor Jed. He is a good and transparent person. We know that eventually ma-clear si Mayor Mabilog,” Piad said.
Ilonggo Interior and Local Government secretary Ismael Sueno created Task Force Agila to handle the investigation of all past and incumbent local public officials with alleged links to illegal drugs.
Sueno said the task force will also take charge of the reception of evidence, documentation, strategy, case determination and case development against local public officials who have been and will be publicly named by President Duterte as involved in illegal drugs.
“We are 101 percent behind the President in his campaign against criminality and illegal drugs. This is why we created Task Force Agila to ensure a thorough probe against the so-called narco execs,” he said.
The said public officials, he said, will be known as “persons of interest” for their alleged involvement in illegal drugs either as protector, pusher, financer or user.
Aside from Mabilog, other Ilonggo mayors Duterte linked to illegal drugs were Alex Centena of Calinog town, Siegfredo Betita of Carles, Mariano Malones of Maasin, and Mayor Julius Ronald Pacificador of Hamtic, Antique. They all denied the President’s allegation.
Task Force Agila is authorized to demand and receive data about the persons of interest, coordinate with other government departments, bureaus, agencies and offices, as well as to make recommendations based on its findings.
The task force may also request assistance from any uniformed and non-uniformed personnel of the DILG, Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB), and other government offices including private individuals pursuant to its mandate.
“I can categorically say that I am not involved in the protection, trade and use of illegal drugs,” said Mabilog in a hastily organized press conference after Duterte tagged him a drug coddler.
The mayor said he was “willing to open myself for any investigation, cooperate and submit myself to any court of law.”
“I fully understand his determination to defeat the menace. It is very unfortunate and disconcerting that my name is linked and included in the list,” said Mabilog.
December last year at a Senate inquiry on illegal drugs here, estranged political ally Councilor Plaridel Nava linked Mabilog to illegal drugs.
However, Mabilog maintained that since he entered government service as a city councilor in 2004, he had kept his honor, integrity and accountability to the public.
The local chief executive asked for a speedy investigation. He wanted to clear his name, he said.
“Since this is an urgent matter which endangers my personal security and that of my family, I request that the authorities conduct a speedy investigation for I, too, wanted the truth and nothing but the truth to come out. It is only fair that since my name has been called out, that I be accorded with the speedy investigation,” said Mabilog./PN
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