Iloilo City mayor denies being drug lord protector
ILOILO City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog denied being drug lord protector and reiterated his full support to President Rodrigo Duterte’s drive against illegal drugs.
Mabilog and other local officials were mentioned by Duterte as drug protectors on Sunday morning, August 7.
But Mabilog said: "It is very unfortunate and disconcerting that my name is linked and included in the list. I can categorically say that I am not involved in the protection, trade and use of illegal drugs. I am willing to open myself for any investigation, cooperate and submit myself to any court of law.”
“This is an urgent matter which endangers my personal security and that of my family I requested 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,” he added.
Mabilog said since he had embarked on his political career as a neophyte city councilor 12 years ago, he had always remained accountable and maintained his honor and integrity to the public as evidenced by the overwhelming trust of the people of Iloilo City in the past five elections.
He said his programs against illegal drugs since he became city mayor have always been consistent.
The members of the Peace and Order Council and the Iloilo City Anti-Drug Council could attest to the seriousness of the drive and campaign against illegal drugs and the menace that they bring upon society, the mayor said.
Other incumbent local mayors, namely, Mayor Alex Centena of Calinog, Iloilo; Mayor Julius Ronald Pacificador of Hamtic, Antique; Mayor Sigfredo Betita of Carles, Iloilo; and Mayor Mariano Malones of Maasin, Iloilo and his vice mayor Francis Ansing Amboy were also named by the President.
The list also includes Judge Savilo of the Regional Trial Court Branch 13 in Iloilo City; Judge Casiple in Kalibo, Aklan; and Judge Rene Gonzales of Municipal Trial Court in Iloilo City; former Iloilo City councilors Antonio Pesina and Erwin “Tongtong” Plagata; former congressman JC Rahman Nava of Guimaras; and former city mayor spokesman Jeffrey Celis.
Also included are the names of Army retired General Nerio Valerio, former PRO-Western Visayas chief; General Bernardo Diaz; retired Superintendent Flore of Antique; former Iloilo City police chief Kashmir Disomangcup; Superintendent Ypil Duenas; Superintendent Eugenio Malik, Maritime Group and former chief of Antique Anti-Drug Group; Chief Inspector Rio Maymay of Iloilo City Police Office; Senior Inspector Kenneth Militar; Senior Inspector Donasco; Inspector De Jose; Inspector Duarte of Arevalo police office; Chief Inspector Vicente Vicente of Banate; and Zamora Reynato Gumaro of PRO-Western Visayas, among others.
Duterte stripped the government officials of their police escorts.
The policemen who were also in the list were immediately relieved from their posts.
The police officials named were given until 12 noon of Sunday to report at Camp Delgado at the office of PRO6 Chief Jose Gentiles.
The cops will be investigated for criminal and administrative charges. (Sunnex)