Ex-Iloilo mayor in drug list clears name

Metro Manila, Philippines – Former Iloilo City Mayor Jed Mabilog broke his silence on his inclusion in the drug watchlist of then President Rodrigo Duterte after seven years of political asylum.

Mabilog aired his side during the House quad committee hearing on the war on drugs on Thursday, Sept. 19.

“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,” he said.

“Sabi ko sa sarili, ito na siguro ang tamang pagkakataon na malaya akong kukuha ng lakas ng loob at magsalita ng katotohanan kahit ako pa ay natatakot at may pangamba sa aking buhay,” he added.

[Translation: I told myself, this may be the right time that I freely get strength and tell the truth even though I am scared and there is a threat to my life.]

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency said Mabilog was not in the initial drug list. It was added later on after Duterte publicly announced his name.

Mabilog told lawmakers he has no clue as to why Duterte linked him to drugs.

He said he could only assume that he is either a relative of opposition Senator Franklin Drilon, there was a power outage in Iloilo during Duterte's presidential campaign, or he failed to meet Duterte during a campaign in the province.

Mabilog recalled he was set to clear his name when he was supposed to meet then Philippine National Police chief and now Senator Ronald dela Rosa in Camp Crame in 2017.

He said a police general called him to skip the meeting where he will be forced to accuse Drilon and former Senator Mar Roxas as drug lords.

Mabilog applied and was granted political asylum in the United States.

He returned to the country on Sept. 10.