PRRD on Iloilo city Mayor Mabilog: "papatayin ko talaga sya'

The war on illegal drugs continues.

One of the biggest “fish” that has been tagged by  President Rodrigo Roa  Duterte as  a narco politician in the Visayas  is Iloilo city Mayor Jed Mabilog who also happens to be a loyal Liberal party stalwart and identified to be close with Senator franklin Drilon who also hails from Iloilo.

The President in one of his speeches in Malacañang made mention of the Iloilo official that he has linked to the drug trade, Mabilog has fled the country since then. *

Pres. Duterte and dismissed Iloilo mayor Jed Mabilog (photo credit to owner)

The Iloilo city mayor has denied the allegations of the President and has also made public that it is "very unfortunate and disconcerting" that his name was included in the long list of "narco-politicians" tagged by Duterte. 

"I can categorically say that I am not involved in the protection, trade and use of illegal drugs," he said at a press conference. The Mayor said it in a press conference last 2016.

"I am willing to open myself for any investigation, cooperate and submit myself to any court of law." 

The President specifically identified the mayor as a protector of the drug trade, and has even connected the mansion like home of the mayor as more beautiful than that of Malacañang.

“The mayor of Iloilo City, I identified him. This was broadcast. I said, ‘You are next. You’re next,’” said Duterte last year, without clarifying what his statement meant.

Mabilog has left the country fearing for his safety, and also because he is such fire from the President, last September on a supposed sick leave but has never returned. In October, the Office of the Ombudsman confirmed Mabilog’s dismissal over serious dishonesty for failing to properly account for his sources of wealth in his Statement of Assets Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN).  

“‘Yung isa hindi na umuwi, si Magtibay (sic), I have been looking for him. Hindi na siya umuwi kasi papatayin ko talaga siya,” Duterte said in an speaking engagement in Tarlac City. *

The President made mention of these local “narco –politician” to debunk the ideas being peddled by his critics that his drug war policy only targets those who are poor.

“Sabihin nila, ‘bakit si Duterte pinapatay lang niya ‘yung mahihirap?’ You are wrong. Hindi ko pinapatay ang mahihirap. Ang pinapatay kong mahihirap ‘yung kriminal,” Duterte said.

Since the start of his administration several local officials that has been tagged as narco-politician has been killed in line with police operations- Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. and Ozamiz City Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog.

Report from  ABS CBN News