Who will clear Mabilog of drug links?

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Former Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, once again, strongly denied allegations of his involvement in the illegal drug trade, accusations made by former President Rodrigo Duterte that led to his self-exile.

“I declare that I was not and never will be a drug protector!” Mabilog said during a House Quad Committee hearing on Thursday.

Mabilog believes the hearing provides the right platform for him to finally speak the truth, despite fears for his safety. He reiterated his efforts in the campaign against illegal drugs in Iloilo City, which Duterte had controversially labeled as the “most shabulized city.”

One key moment in Mabilog’s testimony was his reference to a public forum by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in 2018.

“The Regional Adjudication Committee (RAC) itself said that my name was not on their list. At the Iloilo City Anti-Drug Abuse Council meeting, then-PDEA 6 Regional Director Gil Pabilona and Iloilo City Police Director Senior Superintendent Remus Canieso officially confirmed that my name was not on the drug list,” he said.

When Daily Guardian reached out to Canieso for comment, he declined, saying he had not yet watched the hearing.

“Huwag muna siguro because I have yet to hear the full statement of former Mayor Mabilog,” he said.

Canieso, who served as Iloilo City Police Office director during Mabilog’s tenure as mayor, clarified that their relationship was strictly professional.

Mabilog also mentioned retired Police Brig. Gen. Bernardo Diaz, former regional director of Police Regional Office 6, who, like Mabilog, was included in Duterte’s infamous “narco list.” Despite the accusations, no criminal charges were filed against either of them.

Diaz was unavailable for comment at the time of writing.

During the hearing, Mabilog recalled a phone call from Diaz on Aug. 28, 2017, inviting him to meet with then-PNP Chief Ronald dela Rosa at Camp Crame, Quezon City, the next day. However, the meeting was repeatedly delayed.

“At around 5 p.m., a police colonel called me. His voice sent shivers down my spine, warning me not to go to Camp Crame. Later that evening, my wife, Marivic, received a chilling message from the wife of a PNP colonel: ‘Do not proceed. There are 20 men surrounding your house. If you go to Camp Crame, they will kill you,’” Mabilog said.

The identity of the police colonel was not revealed.

Mabilog eventually flew to Japan for a speaking engagement, where he received a message from Diaz instructing him to call a number.

The call connected him to dela Rosa, who allegedly promised to help him clear his name, assuring him that he was not involved in drugs.

Despite dela Rosa’s assurances, Mabilog later received another phone call from a different general, warning him not to return to the Philippines due to threats on his life.

Faced with these serious threats, Mabilog and his family sought political asylum in the United States and did not return to the Philippines. After seven years in exile, Mabilog has returned in a bid to clear his name.

Despite repeated accusations by Duterte, who publicly shamed and threatened him without presenting evidence, Mabilog continues to assert his innocence and non-involvement in illegal drugs. However, he may still have to wait for authorities — particularly the PDEA and the PNP — to officially clear his name.