BY GEROME DALIPE IV
ILOILO City – Former mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog burst into tears when he appeared before the House of Representatives quad committee yesterday.
“Una po sa lahat, I declare that I was not and never will be a drug protector. I don’t know personally nor did I benefit in any way from any illegal drug personality in Iloilo or anywhere else,” said Mabilog in his opening statement.
Mabilog, who served as Iloilo City mayor from 2010 to 2017, returned to the country on September 10 after seven years of self-imposed exile in the United States.
Fearing for his life, he fled on August 2017 after being repeatedly publicly accused of protecting drug lords by former President Rodrigo Duterte, a claim that he has consistently denied.
“I come before you today not merely to recount my sufferings but to highlight a critical flaw in our system — one that allows law enforcement agencies to be weaponized for political purposes, that illegal drug trade stems from the ills of our society – from poverty to corruption of government institutions including our law enforcement agencies,” said Mabilog.
Duterte tagged Iloilo City as the country’s “most shabulized” city and the “bedrock of illegal drugs” after accusing Mabilog of being a “drug protector.”
When he assumed office as mayor, Mabilog said he immediately initiated anti-illegal drug campaigns and policies, such as activating the barangay anti-drug abuse councils.
He said that Iloilo City consistently received national recognition from both the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the years 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017, for the comprehensive programs including rehab and logistical support to the PNP and PDEA in their drive against illegal drugs.
“Since the existence of these drug syndicates in our city was deeply rooted, I relied on the expertise of the local PNP and regional PDEA to deal with these drug groups while I focused on the socioeconomic programs that would address the root causes of poverty that expose vulnerable populations to the evils of illegal drugs,” said Mabilog.
Despite his efforts, Mabilog said, Duterte ignored them all and even included him on the “PRRD narco-list.”
NARCO-LIST
“As a matter of fact, until today, there are no drug related cases that have been filed against me. Pero kung inyong titingnang maigi, isinama ang mga pangalan ng kalaban sa pulitika sa isang validated list ng mga drug personalities,” said Mabilog.
He said the Regional Adjudication Committee even confirmed that his name was not included on Duterte’s drug list in 2018.
“Ngunit nanatili ang listahan sa kanilang mga record. Hanggang ngayon, lahat ng mga paratang at akusasyong ibinabato sa akin ay patuloy na sumisira sa aking reputasyon, at pati na rin ang reputasyon ng minamahal kong Iloilo,” said Mabilog.
After attending a speaking engagement in Japan in August 2017, Mabilog said he decided not to return home, fearing for his safety.
“Pinalad po ako na meron akong speaking engagement sa isang international conference sa Japan kaya nakaalis ako ng bansa. Paulit-ulit ang pagbabanta ni Presidente Duterte sa akin sa media, harap-harapang sinasabi na ipapa-patay daw ako,” he said.
Mabilog said he was granted political asylum by the United States government, “patunay na walang nakitang kadahilanan sa mga maling paratang na ibinibintang sa akin.”
He lamented that the Duterte administration used the state institutions to carry out personal vendettas or silence perceived enemies undermining the foundation of justice and democracy in our country.
“No individual should be able to wield such unchecked authority regardless of their position or power. Ang karanasan kong ito ay ang nag-mulat sa akin sa mga pagkukulang at kakulangan ng ating law enforcement agencies,” said Mabilog.
Accusations must be duly validated and authenticated first before any public announcement to avoid shaming and destroying the honor, reputation, and good image of a hardworking and innocent person, said Mabilog.
During the hearing, Mabilog said he made several attempts to talk with Duterte and to inquire about the basis for his inclusion in the list of narco-politicians.
“Never ko sya nakausap,” he said.
After he was tagged as a narco-politician, Mabilog said the chief of police at that time instructed him to surrender all his firearms.
“All my security personnel were relieved. I went to the newly installed regional police director and asked about the next thing to do. I also told him about all my campaigns against anti-illegal drugs,” said Mabilog./PN
