‘DENYING DRAGON’: Iloilo City Mayor Denies Illegal Drug Trade Connection

By Joseph Bernard A. Marzan

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas on Feb. 11, 2025, dismissed claims linking him to alleged illegal drug traffickers in the city, reigniting a past moniker in a swipe at a former ally.

In a statement, Treñas denied any involvement in the illegal drug trade, emphasizing that his name was never included in any “narco list” during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

“My name has never been included in any drug-related list, nor have I ever been identified by any Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) agent or by former President Rodrigo Duterte in connection with any drug operations,” Treñas said.

“I have never been involved in any capacity—whether through association, protection, or financing—with any drug operation in Iloilo City. None of my city administrators or the PNP City Director have ever been implicated in the sale or distribution of illegal drugs,” he added.

Treñas declined to specify whom or what he was responding to, and his spokesperson, Joy Fantilaga, did not respond to media inquiries.

Odicta Connection

The statement follows the circulation of old photos of Treñas with the late businessman Melvin Odicta, who was once alleged to be one of Iloilo City’s biggest drug traders.

Odicta, known as the “Dragon”, and his wife, Meriam, were killed by unidentified gunmen in 2016 at the Caticlan Jetty Port in Malay, Aklan.

The resurfacing of these photos comes after Treñas made remarks about former mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog during a press conference on Monday.

Mabilog had suggested that Treñas should negotiate directly with DoubleDragon Properties Corp. regarding the ongoing Guimaras-Iloilo Ferry Terminal dispute at Parola Wharf.

‘From One Dragon to DoubleDragon’

In response, Treñas took a swipe at Mabilog, implying a connection between past controversies and the present situation.

“Why is the past catching up with the present? From one dragon to DoubleDragon. Maybe [Mabilog] should answer that. If he dares, I also dare him. Why are you so concerned about the dragons?” Treñas said.