Former Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog revealed in Thurday’s Quad Committee hearing how the Duterte administration’s bloody anti-drug campaign that killed thousands of Filipinos was not just a war on drugs but also a smokescreen to target and eliminate political rivals.
Mabilog, whose name was placed on Duterte’s infamous narco-list, accused the previous administration of weaponizing law enforcement agencies, under then-PNP chief and now Sen. Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa, to serve political vendettas.
In his opening statement, Mabilog firmly denied any involvement in illegal drugs.
“Una po sa lahat 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 stated, saying no drug-related cases were filed against him until now.
Mabilog pointed out that the narco-list became a "hit list" and accused the Duterte administration of using it to silence political opponents.
“Pero kung inyong titingnang maigi, isinama ang mga pangalan ng kalaban sa pulitika sa isang validated list ng mga drug personalities sa kasunod na PRRD list,” Mabilog said.
“Sa kabila ng mga kuwestiyunableng impormasyong, walang validation o confirmation man lang na ginawa ng kahit na anomang ahensya ng gobyerno sa Malacañang initiated list,” he added.
“Itong PRRD list diumano ay naging isang ‘hit list.’”
The former mayor described how the threats against him escalated, eventually forcing him and his family into self-exile.
"Paulit-ulit ang pagbabanta ni Presidente Duterte sa media, harap-harapang sinasabi na ipapa-patay daw ako," Mabilog recalled, expressing his fear for his life.
He recounted a chilling episode in 2017 when he received a call from then PNP chief Gen Ronald Dela Rosa, inviting him to Camp Crame. The meeting was repeatedly delayed, increasing his anxiety.
"At around 5 p.m., a PNP colonel called me and in a voice that sent shivers down my spine warned me not to go to Camp Crame because my life was in danger," Mabilog said.
Later that day, Mabilog’s wife received a text message warning them that men were surrounding their home, prepared to kill him if he went to Camp Crame.
He added that he again received a call from a “general” who again warned him not to go to Camp Crame.
“Mayor, do not return. Your life is in danger. The accusations against you are all fabricated. But if you go to Crame, you’ll be forced to point fingers to an opposition senator and a former presidential candidate as drug lords,” he quoted the called as saying.
"The terror was paralyzing. I couldn’t believe it – my life was hanging by a thread," Mabilog shared, describing the intense fear that led him to leave the Philippines.
While in Japan, Mabilog received a call from Police Gen. Dela Rosa, who expressed sympathy and told him he knew Mabilog was innocent.
"He told me he knew I was innocent that I wasn’t involved in illegal drugs and he promised to help me," Mabilog recounted.
However, another general soon warned him not to return to the Philippines.
Mabilog stressed that law enforcement agencies were being used to serve political purposes, a practice that he said erodes public trust in the government.
"Using state institutions to carry out personal vendettas or silence perceived enemies undermines the foundation of justice and democracy in our country," he said.
Mabilog called for reforms within law enforcement agencies to ensure they are not manipulated for political gain.
"Kailangan mapatibay pa ang mga institusyong ito upang hindi basta-basta magagamit o maimpluwensyahan ng pulitika," he declared.
Mabilog urged Congress to hold accountable those who abuse their power for personal and political gain.
“No individual should be able to wield such unchecked authority regardless of their position or power,” he said.
"Accusations must be duly validated and authenticated first before any public announcement to avoid shaming and destroying the honor, reputation, and good image of a hardworking and innocent person," he added.
"Maraming salamat sa Quad Committee na ito dahil nabigyan ako ng pagkakataon na linisin ang aking pangalan at ng minamahal kong Iloilo.”
Comments